SKY TV ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR HIGH-DEFINITION WORLD CUP

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In time for the World Cup, Sky TV announced plans to launch a high-definition television service in May, a move that drew a quick reply from rival channel Telewest.

Sky TV’s package will cost GBP 299.00, not counting a monthly fee of GBP 10.00 on top of regular monthly subscriptions. According to Sky officials, customers will be able to choose from the largest variety of HDTV channels in Great Britain and Ireland, including free viewing of BBC’s World Cup coverage and this summer’s Wimbledon tennis tournament.

The World Cup coverage will be the first sporting event available in HDTV in British broadcasting history.

“Sky is just weeks away from an exciting new era that will transform the television viewing experience,” said Brian Sullivan, Sky's director of customer products and services.

However, Telewest released a statement that its HDTV service has been running since March and claiming that customers would have to pay exorbitant prices for Sky’s HDTV programming.

“Britain's first HDTV service is already available to over four and a half million Telewest homes,” said a spokesman for Telewest. “High definition TV is set to transform the way we watch TV this year and consumers will be shopping around for the best deal…With a whopping GBP 300 upfront fee, plus a GBP 10 monthly subscription, you will be paying through the nose to access Sky's forthcoming high-definition service.”

The World Cup is just the start of Sky’s HDTV coverage. Starting next season, it plans on offering Premiership, Championship, and Carling Cup matches in HDTV, along with international cricket and Premier League rugby matches.