Sky confirms HD launch for May, pricing

The first Sky HD installations will begin in May, just one month before the World Cup begins, the broadcaster announced today.

The news comes hot on the heels of the BBC's confirmation that it would be broadcasting its coverage of the tournament in the HD format.

Customers who pre-registered their interest in Sky HD before March 23 are now being invoted to pre-order online, while the general public will be able to place orders from next month.

Pricing of the service comprises a one-off payment of £299 for the new HD set-top box and a Sky HD subscription of £10 month in addition to the main Sky subscription. The HD subscription includes access to Sky One HD, Artsworld HD, National Geographic HD and Discovery HD, as well as the BBC's new free channel.

Sky Sports HD will be available to HD subscribers who also subscribe to Sky Sports 1 and 2 while Sky Movies 9 HD and Sky Movies 10 HD will be available to subscribers of Sky Movies 1 and Sky Movies 2 respectively.

Sky HD comes with Sky+ as standard, meaning that customers will have to pay an additional £10 for a Sky+ subscription unless they take 2 or more of Sky's premium channels.

Free installation is being offered for both new and existing customers until May 31 or initial supplies are exhausted (if earlier).

"Sky is just weeks away from an exciting new era that will transform the television viewing experience," said Brian Sullivan, Sky's director of product strategy and management. "Sky HD customers will be able to enjoy stunning picture and sound quality from the widest range of HD channels in the UK and Ireland.  We're delighted that the BBC has said that its HD coverage of the World Cup will be available to all customers with a Sky HD box as a non-subscription channel."