Sky confirms expansion of widescreen broadcasting

Sky today confirmed that from 3rd of June, for the first time, all Sky Movie channels, Sky One and Sky One Mix will be able to broadcast 16:9 widescreen programming. This finally confirms the reports that Digital Spy has been reporting over the last month or so as Sky have been formalising this schedule.

Sky Movies will show around 280 different films in widescreen, including approximately 20 new titles every month. June's widescreen premieres will include Heist, Ali and Behind Enemy Lines together with titles such as Moulin Rouge! and classics Carlito's Way and the original Planet of the Apes.

Also from 3rd June, Dolby Digital 5.1 will be available for films on Sky Movies Premier 1, 2 and 3. With around 130 different titles every month, the opportunities for Sky+ subscribers who can receive Dolby Digital 5.1 to view these films with thrilling digital surround sound are greatly increased.

Widescreen is being introduced on Sky One and Sky One Mix and details of widescreen programming will be announced nearer to the transmission dates. Digital Spy will continue to report on updates on Sky One and Sky One Mix as they happen.

Viewers will be able to identify which programmes are broadcast in widescreen by the letter 'W' that will appear on the information panel when they press the 'i' button on their Sky remote control. Dolby Digital 5.1 movies will be identified by 'DD' in the information panel.