Sky1 HD
To coincide with launch of Sky HD, Sky1 HD began broadcasting on 22 May 2006. The channel is a simulcast of Sky1 and screens high-definition versions of some of the channel's programming, which include Lost, Bones, 24, Fringe, Prison Break, House, and most recently new episodes of The Simpsons. Programmes that are not available in HD are upscaled (although Sky1 does show the original widescreen film from Malcolm in the Middle, unlike most U.S. broadcasts, since the series was originally filmed on Panavision widesceen film but cropped to full-screen by most broadcasters. This airing of the original film preserves the shows appearance without stretching or upscaling, although some scenes were compromised for widescreen and had to be upscaled).
Sky have stated that they intend to increase the amount of HD content they show, and hoped that by the end of 2008, two thirds of all prime time shows, and 90% of their own original commissions, would be in HD. A new Sky1 HD logo was introduced along with the rebrand on 31 August 2008.
On 1 October 2010, Sky1 HD launched on Virgin Media channel 122, with Sky2 moving to channel 123 and Sky3 (now Pick TV) moving to channel 180 on 22 September 2010, to make way for the new channel.
Read more about this topic: Sky1