Simmer down, UKers -- it's not nearly as good as it sounds. Sure, seven HD channels is seven HD channels, but aside from Real Lives HD, you'll be getting six channels of (mostly) the same stuff. Reportedly, the half dozen other high-def additions will simply "bolster Sky Movies," offering viewers the ability to watch horror, sci-fi, action, family, comedy and other genres by simply flipping the station. We suppose it's a good sign to see Sky ramping up its Sky+ HD lineup, but can we get a little more variety the next time you folks get the itch to expand?

[Thanks, Adam]

Brits needing their reality TV in high definition get a boost October 20, when the Real Lives channel on Sky goes HD. Hook your HDTV up to Sky+ HD and enjoy Lorraine Kelly's DNA Stories, Toy Boys , Fashion Avenue. Sounds good, we'll be checking out The First 48 and awaiting the HD debut of Survivor in the meantime, although it does bring into question how much of reality TV do we really want to see in HD.

[Via HDTV UK]

It's arriving a little later than in other parts of the world, but Eurosport HD has finally launched on Sky+ HD in the UK. The station is exclusively available as part of a high-def subscription package on slot 412, and should provide HD coverage of the Beijing Olympics and all sorts of other sporting events here in the near future. The addition brings the carrier's total HD lineup to 19, which isn't too shabby for that part of the globe.

A note to those on the product naming committee -- when adding HD capability to an existing product, simply add "HD" to the old name. Consider it a lesson learned by Sky, which will rebranded its well-regarded HD service as "Sky+ HD" starting July 1. That little "+" symbol will hopefully alleviate confusion amongst shoppers who thought that "Sky HD" did not have the DVR capabilities of the "Sky+" service. As if to make up for the confusion, Sky is cutting £100 ($200) off the price of the set-top box, bringing it to £149 ($295). Both of these are good moves, we think -- anything that can cut down on consumer confusion and spread HD is welcome in our book.

[Via TooCheap]

Just under two months after Freeview HDTV launched in New Zealand, in comes word that the long-awaited Sky HD service has done likewise. Dubbed My Sky HDi, the service is hosting (at least initially) Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Movies, Sky Movies Greats and TV3 in high-definition. Those who are already subscribed to My Sky can make the very worthwhile leap to high-def by handing over $49.95 for the revamped (and doubly capacious) set-top-box. Reportedly, those who join will see 104 live sporting events in HD before the close of 2009, and Sky has already secured the rights to both the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. For more details on the whole thing, just give that read link a little love.

We already received confirmation that Sky would be freshening up its universally frowned upon EPG with something a bit sweeter, and now UKers are getting a first look at what to expect. Reportedly, the new guide will be entirely in HD and launched in August -- unfortunately, the image above may be the only tease you get (from Sky, anyway) all summer.

How's this for keeping a promise? Nearly two years back, Sky revealed plans to roll out HD service in New Zealand during the early part of 2008, and sure enough, all systems are go. The pay-TV operator is putting the finishing touches on its new high-definition satellite service, which it will use to beam out Sky Sport 1, Sky Sport 2, Sky Movies and Sky Movies Greats in HD this July. Users will also be able to rent the all new MySky HD DVR, which was "developed in conjunction with Sky's Australian sister company Foxtel, which will sell the same box under the iQ2 banner." It's noted that the timing of the two launches is purely coincidental, and the unit itself will boast a 320GB hard drive, four tuners, an HDMI output and an Ethernet port for a "possible video-on-demand service over broadband." Pricing information has yet to be divulged, but that tidbit should be surfacing real soon.

Sure, securing Voom Networks' Rush HD may not be quite as exhilarating as snagging NASN, but we're betting that those in the UK on Sky will take any additional high-def they can get. As of today, the extreme sports channels is now available on EPG slot 452 to Sky HD subscribers, which brings the grand total on the carrier to 17. The launch marks the international debut of the network, and while a company spokesperson noted that there were no current plans to bring any other Voom channels to the UK, users may see Rush content made available on the 1080i Sky Anytime video-on-demand portal.

Open wide, Italian sports fans -- you're about to get a huge helping of ESPN content via SKY Italia. Announced today, ESPN's North American Sports Network (NASN) will soon be launching on the SKY Italia platform, and better still, the agreement marks ESPN's "largest-ever international high-definition programming syndication deal, with more than 800 hours" of annual HD material to be syndicated across SKY's platform. For those interested, it'll begin beaming out tomorrow (April 8th) and will be hosted on the SKY Italia sports tier.

Given that our place of residence is most certainly not in the UK, Sky wasn't included in our recent breakdown of HD carriers. Thankfully, the kind blokes / dames over at HDTV Lounge were able to sit down with the Sky HD service and write up a fairly thorough review. For those on the fence, Sky HD has become a fair bit more attractive here of late with the addition of three new HD channels and a price cut to boot. The long and short of it is that the Sky HD DVR is more than satisfactory, and as for the programming quality, reviewers were left with all sorts of positive vibes. Best of all, there's even a few comparison shots to give SD subscribers a look at what they're missing out on. Go on, check out the read link for the full spill.

One of those European HDTV owners that doesn't actually watch HD? That survey may hold some weight, as Sky is cutting prices on its Sky+ and Sky HD services. The Sky HD box now costs £249, or £199 bundled with internet and phone, although the monthly HD charge is still £10. With the entry costs lowered a bit and a few new channels, we'll see if that is enough to get people upgrading to HD.

[Via HDTV UK]

Sir Michael Caine finds HD quality "unforgiving", but we're sure more than a few movie buffs will appreciate a clearer look at classics like Zulu and The Italian Job (not the one with Marky Mark in it) prompted by Sky's need for movies to fill its new HD channels. Of course many films have already been remastered for HD, but as HD adoption grows worldwide, we can look forward to high quality transfers of more international flicks.

With its troubles in the past, Sky is ramping up its HD service, with plans to add three new stations soon for a total of 17 HD channels. Viewers can expect Sky Sports HD 3, Sky Movies Premiere HD and FX HD. Sky Sports HD 3 will kick off with Monday Night Raw in March and the PGA European Tour, while FX HD is a "bespoke" custom channel, Sky Movies Premiere is a simulcast of the SD channel. Sky says its signed up more than 400,000 subscribers since launch, and once these channels are added, they'll have access to 6,500 hours of HD programming per month. We know it was rough for a while, any Sky HD users out there got a report about the service these days?

Rumors of a facelifted electronic programming guide to Sky's receivers / DVRs have been swirling for quite some time, and apparently, the satellite provider has finally come clean and doled out the skinny. According to Digital Spy, only Sky HD boxes will be receiving the upgrade, which will replace the current four top-level options with ten. Purportedly, "television, radio and interactive services will be listed separately," and it's also stated that a small box will be added to show content from channels as they are browsed through in the guide. As for when Brits can expect the new EPG? "Sometime during 2008" -- sadly, that'll have to do for now.

Nothing too major here, but apparently, Sky Movies is getting all set to undergo an official name change. Starting next February, Sky Movies SD 1 will be dutifully renamed Sky Movies Screen 1, while its HD counterpart (you know, the one we watch) will become known as Sky Movies Screen 1 HD. Not surprisingly, the same nomenclature will be applied to Sky Movies SD 2 and HD 2, too. So yeah, don't be too shocked to see your favorite channel vacate its regular spot -- only the name's a-changin', programming (and channel slot) is set to stay the same.