Sky have today revealed plans to launch the HDTV format in the UK in 2006.

HDTV - short for 'high definition' TV - offers a substantially superior picture quality than the current SDTV (standard defintion) broadcasts, and is fast becoming the format of choice for TV shows in the US.

Sky's new premium HDTV service will go live sometime in 2006 with both a set of dedicated HD channels and access to selected events produced in the HD format. In addition to the package of channels to be offered by Sky, the network says that other digital satellite broadcasters will also be able to "take advantage of its HDTV capabilities to provide an enhanced experience to their viewers."

Speaking at an investor conference in London today, Sky CEO James Murdoch promised that further details on the proposed technology and channel offering would be announced "in due course."