FXHD to launch this month

FXHD, the new bespoke high definition service from FX, will launch on satellite as part of the Sky HD package on April 21.

The channel, which will be entirely free of advertising at launch, will replace FX+1 on Sky EPG channel 205. FX+ will continue to broadcast a two-hour timeshift of FX on 166.

FXHD will broadcast every night from 7pm to 2am and carry "the best shows from FX... in HD", a spokesperson told Digital Spy today. Key programmes to be broadcast in 1080i high definition include Dexter, Brotherhood, Life, Burn Notice and Breaking Bad.

While there is not an exclusivity deal tying FXHD solely to Sky, the satellite broadcaster fully expects to be the only service carrying the channel.