HD Programmes To Air On Sky From 22nd May

Sky has announced the official launch date for its high definition service, with Star Wars, 24 and the England test match all in store for those lucky enough to have the system installed by 22 May.

The services’s first week broadcast will see Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith aired on launch day via Sky Box Office HD, while Sky One HD will air an episode of 24.

Elsewhere, Sky One HD will also give viewers the dubious pleasure of watching Inside…A Gunshot Victim in gloriously detailed quality.

Programmes such as Rescue Me and Star Trek Enterprise will also be screened in high definition in the first week of operation, while cricket fans will be given their first high definition broadcasts on the 25th, when England face up to Sri Lanka in the 2nd test on Sky Sports HD.

Since bookings for installation of the service were opened to the public on 13 April 2006, Sky claims to have received 40,000 advance sales – more than the total number of Sky+ sales in its entire first year.

Elsewhere, Sky has announced that live matches from the Coca Cola League and the Carling Cup will be broadcast in high definition from the start of the 2006-07 season in August, with outside broadcast facilities provided by Arquiva upgraded from the summer.

In addition, live Barclays Premiership football and Guinness Premiership Rugby union will be broadcast in HD, alongside county cricket and live international Test and One-Day internationals.

“High definition will take viewers closer to the action than they have ever been before,” said Sky Sports’ head of operations, Darren Long. “The sofa really will become the best seat in the stadium.”

Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com