New Sky+ HD software "imminent"

Sky is preparing to launch the much-anticipated new version of electronic programme guide software for its high definition boxes, it was confirmed today.

Digital Spy previewed the new EPG release last May, and it is understood that several features have been tweaked and added since that version. It is designed to make the plethora of linear HD content more navigable and lay the groundwork for the delivery of on demand content via broadband, which is a "core" element of Sky's future development plans.

"We are ramping up for its imminent launch," said Sky's director of strategic product development Gerry O'Sullivan. "We haven't changed our EPG for a long time. We are very sensitive in keeping all the navigation paradigms and the user interface of our current world-class EPG. How do you improve something and not break that? It's been a very interesting project.

"There was no rush for us. We decided to get it as good as we possibly can, and what we've got now is really going to blow the audience away."