Sky To Launch Seven New HD Channels

BSKyB is adding seven new high-definition channels to its Sky+ HD service next month.

The seven channels will take the satellite broadcaster’s total number of HD channels to 26, with six of the new offerings bolstering Sky Movies, while the seventh will be an HD version of Sky Real Lives.

Genres covered by the new movie channels include sci-fi/horror, action/thriller, drama, modern greats, family and comedy.

Sky said that there are expected to be around 12 million HD ready TVs in the UK by the end of the year, with an estimated 23 million by 2010.

Hilary Perchard, the head of advanced TV products for Sky, said: “With equipment prices falling and the choice of content increasing, this is shaping up to be a big year for HD.”

A report published earlier this month by IMS Research found that an estimated 45 million households worldwide received HD services at the end of 2007.

IMS also forecast that 255 million TV households worldwide will be watching HDTV by the end of 2013.

Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com