Living becomes BSkyB's 50th HD channel

1:58 PM PDT 10/14/2010 by Mimi Turner, AP

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U.K. Satcaster has three million high definition subscribers

LONDON -- BSkyB said Thursday it had signed three million high definition subscribers and had launched its 50th HD channel, Living HD.

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The satcaster, which is on track to have 10 million digital customers by the end of the year, said all 50 HD channels would be available by Christmas and that it was witnessing record HD viewing.

The satcaster airs a slew of channels including BBC1, Sky1, ITV1 and Channel 4 in standard definition as well as HD, while pay channels including Sky Sports and Sky Movies are also available to Sky's subscribers in both formats.

Last year it ramped up demand by offering a cut price upgrade to the Sky HD box.

Sky said that in the three months ending 30th June it had increased its HD customer base by 429,000, bringing twelve-month cumulative growth to 1.6 million.

Living will join the U.K.'s largest collection of HD channels, and cements Sky's reputation as the leader in H.D. viewing, offering 19 more HD channels than its nearest rival, Virgin Media.

"Sky recognized the potential of HD early and we are delighted it has grown into something which our customers utterly love," said Sophie Turner Laing, managing director of Sky's entertainment, news and broadcast operations.