Sky HDTV coming to New Zealand in 2008
By Richard Lawler 
posted Oct 28th 2006 2:03PM
posted Oct 28th 2006 2:03PM
Sky revealed to investors recently it plans to roll out an unnamed -- here's a name, Sky HD -- HDTV service in early 2008 featuring broadcasts as well as video-on-demand via satellite or internet connection. Sounds a lot like the Sky HD service already rolling out in the U.K., hopefully by the time it launches down under all the bugs will be worked out. The broadcaster already launched a new satellite earlier this month to provide a stronger signal, and expects free-to-air digital broadcasting coming to the region in 2007 will actually help improve its market penetration. Makes sense, as people upgrade to new TVs they'll want more and more HD programming, if Sky can fill that gap then it should work out great for everyone except the Kiwi's waiting until 2008 to see their own country on Discovery Channel HD every other week.
Yes and I wonder how much this new service is going to cost to get everything Sky offers is nearly NZ$100 per month.
Personally I would not touch Sky-HD TV till the price becomes something that is either cheaper or is more channels for the same money.
Is there any way we could get Sky in North America even if you imported a dish? We must be too low on the satellite's horizon. (fingers crossed).
The killer content on Sky HD in the UK is BBC HD. The channel only runs in the evenings, and is demo loops all throught the day, but the evening programmes are excellent and look superb in 20Mb/s H.264 1080i :)
Sky One HD (US imports like 'Lost' and '24') and three other HD channels use 12Mb/s H.264 1080i; as do the two movie channels, one sport channel, and one PPV channel.
With BBC HD make for pretty good value for £10 per month.
However, slightly annoying that the Sky+ (Tivo like PVR features) cost ANOTHER £10 per month.
£10 (ten Pound Sterling) = $19 (nineteen US Dollar)
I just wanted to say "Kia ora tatou" to all my Kiwi bro's in Aotearoa (that's New Zealand for you Pakehas out there on Engadget HD). "Haere mai" to the HD party.
Hope ya get "heaps" of "choice" HD content from Sky even though you live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth and so you probably don't need to watch as much TV as we do (except for when its raining down there).
Hei konei ra and GO ALL BLACKS!
Dan from the District of Columbia & Virginia