Everyone is talking about the HD TV revolution – it’s certainly an exciting development in home entertainment – but just what channels can you actually receive in HD?
To start accessing HD TV programming you will first need to sign-up to either Sky TV HD or Virgin Media HD. At present HD programming is not available through Freeview, however a new digital satellite TV service from the BBC and ITV has been launched called Freesat. It has over 80 TV and radio channels with free subscription to HD TV programmes.
Sky HD aims to bring you the best of Sky’s entertainment programming in glorious high definition. Sky offer 19 HD channels ranging from sports to movies. You will need to subscribe to the Sky HD service and purchase a Sky HD receiver box to benefit from such programming.
Virgin Media currently only offer BBC HD as a dedicated HD channel however Virgin Media subscribers are able to purchase a wide selection of movies and programmes in the HD format on a pay-per-view basis. You will also need to subscribe to the V+ service and have a V+ receiver box
For more information on either the Virgin Media HD service or the Sky HD service please visit their dedicated sites.
Our handy guide below shows you range of sport, art, documentary and movie channels that are currently available in true HD format.
HD Channels
The following HD channels are currently being broadcast:
Sky Sports HD
Barclays Premiership football, Guinness Premiership Rugby Union, live test and one-day international cricket, all with 5.1 surround sound.
Sky Movies HD
Barclays Premiership football, Guinness Premiership Rugby Union, live test and one-day international cricket, all with 5.1 surround sound.
Sky One HD
The ever popular Sky channel but with some of the best programmes broadcasted in high definition, including 24, Stargate, and Over There.
Sky Arts HD
A wide selection of arts programming in high definition from modern art to classical ballet.
Sky Box Office HD
Offering up to 10 extra movies per week on a pay-per-view basis.
National Geographic HD
Exquisitely filmed documentaries and travelogues.
Discovery HD
Captivating imagery and expansive detail combines with the usual high quality programming one can expect from Discovery.
History Channel HD
Discover and re-live the some of History's greatest events, now in even greater detail with the History Channel HD
BBC HD
BBC HD is currently being trialled with broadcasts of events such as the Olympic Games and Wimbledon. A limited range of drama, events and documentaries broadcast each day. BBC HD is available via satellite and cable services, but is not available on Freeview at present.
Channel 4HD
The channel is a simulcast of the core Channel 4 schedule with a proportion of programmes produced and transmitted in the HD format. Channel 4 is committed to increasing its investment in HD production and the proportion of its schedule transmitted in high definition over time.
ITV HD
ITV HD brings you television in stunning high definition. With an incredibly sharp picture, rich, saturated colours and more detail then ever before, it’s the closest you’ll get to the action – without being there.
Eurosport HD
Sky has announced the launch of its 19th dedicated HD channel, with the addition of Eurosport HD.
Now available on Sky+ HD, the launch of Eurosport HD means sports fans in the UK and Ireland will be able to watch the biggest sporting events in glorious high definition.
