Five to launch high definition channel on Sky

Channel Five is set to launch its first high-definition channel on Sky’s satellite service in July.

Five, which claims to be too cash-strapped to launch a HD channel on Freeview, said its programming makes the Five HD service “more suited” to rival services from Channel 4 and ITV.

Charles Constable, Five’s director of strategy, said: “Our programme schedule is more suited to HD than that any other major free-to-air commercial broadcaster given the wide range of high quality series we broadcast, such as our top-rated line-up of US dramas.  We are delighted to begin our HD journey with Sky.”

The new Five HD channel will broadcast programmes including CSI, FlashForward, Neighbours, Home & Away and The Mentalist to around two million Sky+ HD customers.

Sky hopes to build its HD channel portfolio to 50 channels by Christmas.  Over the next few months, ITV 1 HD, Sky News HD, Sky Sports HD 4 and Hallmark Channel HD will launch on the BSkyB service.