Absolute Gadget

If you really, really want to make use of the shiny new high-definition television then you seriously have to consider taking the Murdoch shilling and plumbing for Sky. The satellite television company has just announced seven new hi-def channels on its platform, bringing up the total number to 23.

The channels, set to launch next month, are mostly new Sky Movies channels but one extra channel, Sky Real Lives, will show Lorraine Kelly in gloriousHD (worth the subscription in anyone's books!)

Basically, the extra HD movie channels cover sci-fi/horror, action/thriller, drama, modern greats, family and comedy. Lined up for the launch are films such as The Sound of Music, Atonement, 28 Weeks Later, Hot Fuzz, Tarzan, 300, The Bourne Ultimatum and Pirates of the Caribbean 3.

Sky said the launch will build on the growing number of HD sets in the UK. There are 12 million in Great Britain at the moment but this figure is expected to rise to 23 million by 2010.

"With equipment prices falling and the choice of content increasing, this is shaping up to be a big year for HD. Almost half a million homes are already enjoying Sky+ HD and we're excited to be offering even more HD content to our customers," commented Sky's head of advanced TV products Hilary Perchard. It is thought that 30 Hi-Def channels will be on Sky before the end of the year.

Even better, a new Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) is said to be on the card from October. It'll certainly give Freesat a run for its money.

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