Sky have announced more details of it's HDTV service expected to launch early next year.

Sky HD, will include a Sky Sports channel, Sky One, Artsworld, a Sky Box Office channel and two Sky Movies screens when it launches in the UK and Ireland.

As well as better pictures, viewers will get better sound with HDTV making the whole experience more enjoyable for viewers.

Sky is expected to add more channels closer to the launch date once agreement deals have been finalised with the channels.

From launch, Sky Sports HD will offer full live coverage of the Premiership in HD, with the added benefit of Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Other HD sports programming will be confirmed closer to the time of launch.

Movie buffs will also benefit from the new service with two Sky Movies channels dedicated to films in HD, with titles available at launch including Spider Man 2, The Day After Tomorrow and House of Flying Daggers.

Customers will be able to pre-register for the service from this Friday in the UK, although Sky is as yet not setting a date for the actual launch.

Brian Sullivan, Sky's director of customer products and services, said: "The launch of high definition will be the start of an exciting new era in broadcasting, and Sky HD will offer stunning picture and sound quality for a broad selection of programmes.

"When this choice of viewing is combined with the Sky+ functionality of the Sky HD box, consumers who upgrade to HD-ready television sets can look forward to a viewing experience that will be truly transformed."