BSkyB and MGM launch branded HD movie channel

The channel is a joint venture between Sky and MGM and showcases selections from the MGM library, with all titles broadcasting in true HD.

MGM-HD will be the first branded channel for the Hollywood studio in the UK. The agreement also completes a step in extending the reach of the MGM channels enterprise, which is now available in over 130 countries across more than 20 separate branded networks. Among the latest MGM channel launches are high definition channels in the US, Latin America, Poland and Israel.

In the UK, the channel will run 24 hours a day and showcases HD re-mastered movies from the MGM library from recent films to well-known classic catalogue titles. Highlights in the coming months include films from The Pink Panther series, Woody Allen films such as Annie Hall and Manhattan, The Apartment, Network and Tom Jones.

MGM HD is on the Sky platform on channel number 345 and is the 37th HD channel available to Sky+HD homes. To be able to access the channel, Sky customers need to subscribe to Dual Movies and the HD pack.

Alternatively, the channel is available on an a la carte basis for £5 per month. The channel is available to Sky customers in both the UK and Ireland.

The existing relationship between MGM and Sky for the provision of titles to the Sky Movies channels continues.

Bruce Tuchman, president of MGM Worldwide Networks, says: “As it’s truly is the best way to experience feature films, MGM anticipated the popularity of high definition and has been committed to re-mastering many of the great MGM movies in HD for some time. MGM has the world’s largest modern film library, packed with great blockbuster titles and renowned classics alike. Now, thanks to Sky, we can deliver all of that quality entertainment content in HD.”

Sky Movies currently offers ten dedicated HD channels which between them show around 600 individual HD movies per month. The company attributed a rise in profits in its last results partly to the rising popularity of HD.