Sky signs up Discovery for high definition TV

by Kunal Dutta, Media Week 17-Jan-06, 13:18

Sky HD, which is set to deliver better TV picture quality when it launches by 2006, will include Discovery as part of the initial package of high definition channels.

The broadcaster is on track to launch its HD television in the UK and Ireland in early 2006.

The launch package currently includes six of its owned channels including Sky Sports, Sky One and two Sky Movie channels.

Discovery HD will complete the set as a 24-hour channel offering exclusive content from the channel's global library of more than 1,000 hours of high-definition programming.

High definition TV is already in development, though exact launch dates are yet to be announced.

Sky estimate two million HD TV's will have been sold in the UK by the end of 2006.

Dan Brooke, UK general manager of Discovery Networks Europe said: "As a leading provider of high-definition networks in the world, we are committed to investing in HD content both regionally and across the globe."