Following today's BBC confirmation that it will broadcast its 2006 World Cup coverage in high definition, Sky have confirmed the broadcasts can be watched on Sky HD.

This is the first hint that Sky's new high definition service will be launching before the World Cup starts in June.

Earlier today the BBC announced that it will broadcast its 2006 World Cup coverage and major Wimbledon matches in high definition this summer as part of a pioneering trial.

HD is a new kind of television which delivers more detailed pictures and sharper shots of fast-moving action than conventional 'standard definition'. The HD format will be an extra stream alongside conventional analogue and digital broadcasts.

Director of BBC Sport Roger Mosey said: "High definition works particularly well for sport. It gives fantastic picture quality, from the blades of grass that are being played on right to the back of the stands, and although only limited numbers of people will be able to see this trial we hope it will be a glimpse of the future."

Head of BBC HD TV Seetha Kumar said: "We believe that in the long term the BBC can help provide the benefits of HD to everyone, free to air, in the same way that we backed colour, stereo, widescreen and online in the past.

"With this trial, the BBC is taking the first crucial steps to support the development of HD broadcasting in the UK."

BBC HD will start broadcasting on Monday 15 May with a test stream previewing forthcoming programmes. The first live HD programme will be the opening World Cup match Germany Vs Costa Rica on Friday 9 June.

The BBC HD trial will run for about 12 months. It will feature some of the BBC's most ambitious programmes, such as natural history series Planet Earth and Galapagos, drama documentary Hannibal and some BBC Proms concerts including the First and Last Nights, in HD quality.