Selena Gomez marks Disney Channel HD launch

Selena Gomez gave a special performance today to celebrate the forthcoming launch of a high definition simulcast of the Disney Channel on Sky.

The Disney Channel HD will go live on the satellite pay-TV platform on September 16, broadcasting shows such as Wizards of Waverly Place, Hannah Montana, Shake It Up and Fish Hooks, along with brand new music shorts strand, Disney Pop Stop.

The channel increases Disney's existing HD channels bouquet in the UK, which includes Disney Cinemagic HD that launched in December 2008 and Disney XD HD which started broadcasting last October.

Wizards of Waverly Place star Selena Gomez celebrated the announcement of the Disney Channel HD's launch with an exclusive performance at the Hospital Club in London. Her set will be shown on Disney Pop Stop later this year.

Boel Ferguson, the general manager of Disney Channels UK & Ireland, said: "HD is the ultimate standard for broadcasting and we are now bringing the excitement of HD to Disney Channel, the number one pay-TV kids' channel in the UK.

"We are delighted to be able to announce this news with the channel's biggest star, Selena Gomez, and look forward to kids across the country tuning in to our strongest ever lineup of new programming."

Hilary Perchard, director of product management at Sky, added: "We already offer our customers the choice of more than 50 HD channels - by far the best selection in the UK - and are pleased that we'll soon be adding Disney Channel HD to that list.

"It is a brand that resonates with parents and kids alike, and now Sky customers can look forward to enjoying all these great shows in stunning high definition."