News 

HDTV is regarded to be the next big change in television viewing habits. The new generation of 'HD Ready' plasma and LCD television sets can not only give much sharper resolution than the traditional set but also provide more vivid colour and often have surround sound built in too.

The Sky offering will consist of a new set top box costing £299 and a £10 a month subscription to the HD channels that will include sport and movies. This will be in addition to customers' existing Sky subscription ranging from £15 to £42 a month.

Cable rival Telewest broadcast its first HD TV programmes earlier this month. The BBC says it plans to offer its HD World Cup coverage to all viewers with a Sky HD box on a non-subscription channel. The first World Cup match and live HDTV programme to be broadcast on the BBC will be the opening match of Germany v Costa Rica on 9 June.