Sky Launches HD Service Next Week

Sky’s high-definition TV service, SKY HD, is going on sale next week, offering consumers in the UK and Ireland the chance to watch HD channels for the first time.

The service will be available on Wednesday 12th April, with installations due to begin in May. The Sky HD box will cost £299, with customers paying an extra monthly subscription fee of £10.

Customers will have access to around 30 hours of HD programmes or 80 hours of standard definition. The HD box will offer Sky+ functionality, allowing Sky+ subscribers to pause and rewind live TV, record two channels simultaneously and automatically record every episode of a selected series.

Sky announced some of the programming for its HD service in February, introducing Sky Movies 9 HD, Sky Movies 10 HD, Sky Sports HD, Sky Box Office HD 1, Sky Box Office HD 2, National Geographic HD, Sky One HD, Artsworld HD and Discovery HD to the broadcaster’s Sky Guide EPG (see Sky Gears Up For High Definition Launch).

Sky launched a partnership with electronics giant Sony last year to cross-sell its products and services in an attempt to accelerate high definition (HD) TV adoption in the UK (see Sky Partners Sony To Boost HDTV Uptake).

The growing excitement over HD content has also been evident from rival broadcasters, with the BBC planning to trial the technology on all digital platforms later this year, while cable operator Telewest recently announced its delivery of HD content to around 400 customers in London (see Telewest First To Launch HDTV Services).

Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com