Sky refutes high-def launch claim

Sky has laughed off rumours that its high definition service will be launching on April 1st, a date which was apparently being given to customers by one of its operators.

 

The rumour followed a phone call from website Pocket Lint to a Sky customer service department after it noticed that HD channels were starting to appear on the Sky EPG. An operator reportedly responded by saying HD channels would be due on 1st April.

This now looks like something of a premature April Fool’s after a Sky spokesperson told us that no official date had been set for launch. The satellite giant did, though, reveal its timescale for incorporating the new channels into the EPG, which represent the final stages of testing for the service.

At the moment Sky Movies 9 and 10 (channels 311 and 312) are on the guide. They’ll be followed by HD channels for Sky Sports, Box Office and National Geographic on 7th February, and then Sky One, Box Office 2, Artsworld and Discovery on 14th February.

You won’t, of course, be able to watch any high-def content until the official launch, but viewing the 7-day listings provides an exciting taster of the content – so far films like SWAT, Bad Boys II and Jumanji have been confirmed for the movie channels.

Sadly, it all means that we’re still stuck with the vague promise of a June launch rather than the overly optimistic April date.

We’re holding up hope that you’ll be able to catch the climax to the Premiership season in HD glory and, fingers crossed, the World Cup via the BBC’s trials which will be available on Sky HD. Check back here and at www.sky.com/hd religiously for news.