Five HD set for Sky launch

UK commercial broadcaster Five is to launch its high-definition channel Five HD on pay-TV operator Sky’s HD service later this year. This comes a day after the RTL-owned broadcaster gave up its space to launch an HD channel on the digital terrestrial service Freeview.

Five will air series including US dramas Flash Forward and CSI as well as soaps Neighbours and Home & Away and live Europa League football. Five will become the 42nd HD channel to launch on Sky Plus HD with the News Corp-owned pay service aiming to have 50 HD channels by Christmas.