Sky have finally announced pricing details of its new high definition Sky HD service ahead of a May launch.

Existing Sky subscribers can purchase the Sky HD digibox for a one-off cost of £299 with HD subscription at £10 a month. Installation is free (this is an introductory offer). The Sky+ features are free as long as you are subscribing to a minimum of two premium channels as with the standard Sky+.

For new customers the Sky HD costs are as above except half price subscription to Sky channels will be available for the first three months.

Brian Sullivan, Sky's Director of Product Strategy and Management, said: "Sky is just weeks away from an exciting new era that will transform the television viewing experience. Sky HD customers will be able to enjoy stunning picture and sound quality from the widest range of HD channels in the UK and Ireland. We're delighted that the BBC has said that its HD coverage of the World Cup will be available to all customers with a Sky HD box as a non-subscription channel."

Interested Sky HD customers can pre-order the service now with a £30 deposit at the official Sky HD website at www.sky.com/hd Customers that have pre-ordered will receive calls from Sky from early April with installation dates, expected to be in May.

The HD channels available at launch will include National Geographic HD, Sky Sports HD, Sky Box Office HD, Sky Movies 9 HD, Sky Movies 10 HD, Artsworld HD, Sky One, Discovery HD and Sky HD Retail. More HD channels are expected to launch over the coming months.

Updated 12:30pm - 24/03/06

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