Sky to provide HD boxes as standard

Sky has today begun providing high definition set top boxes as standard to all new subscribers and existing customers upgrading to Sky+.

Buoyed by strong financial results, including the Sky+ HD subscriber base breaking the 2m mark, Sky plans to reduce the presence of standard definition boxes from its product portfolio.

From today, any new customers or existing subscribers upgrading to Sky+ will receive an HD box as the standard offering. The receiver will cost £49 with a £30 installation fee for new customers, or £99 and £60 installation for existing subscribers.

Anyone subscribing to the HD pack of channels will receive the HD box for free, with installation priced at £30 for new customers and £60 for existing.

Sky will continue to provide SD boxes, but only as like-for-like replacements for existing SD receivers or as upgrades for the Multiroom service.

"While the economic outlook remains uncertain, we remain well positioned with high-quality products offering customers great value for money," said Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch.

"This year, we intend to build on our success by bringing our leading HD box technology to even more customers. From today, we will start selling HD-enabled boxes as standard and customers will receive the box for free when they subscribe to our HD pack of channels.

"These are important steps which will allow us to grow more efficiently and further accelerate the pace of innovation for customers."