Sky News - Sky News HD

Sky News HD

Sky released the high definition version of Sky News on 6 May 2010 to coincide with the 2010 election results. In the build-up to this launch, they have been upgrading their studios and several bureax both in the UK and around the world to be able to broadcast in HD.

Since early 2008, Sky News has been using cameras in the field which can shoot in HD. Some one-off programmes have been made available in high definition to Sky+ HD viewers through the On Demand feature, under the branding Sky News HD. These programmes have included Technofile, Diana: The Final Word, Canoe Man: Rise and Fall of John Darwin and Pathfinders: Into The Heart Of Afghanistan.

At 5pm (GMT) on 20 January 2009, Sky News' live coverage of the Inauguration of Barack Obama was carried in high definition on Sky Arts HD.

This was the first ever live broadcast of Sky News in HD. Jeremy Thompson fronted the coverage from Washington DC. Michael Jackson's memorial service was also presented in HD, with Kay Burley presenting.

Sky News moved operations to a chroma-key "green screen" set in Studio B from 30 March 2010 so that final preparations could take place in the main newsroom.

Sky News HD launched on Sky Channel 517 for the channel's election debate which was held on 22 April 2010. For the 10 days leading up to the debate, channel 517 displayed a countdown clock to launch. The Debate coverage was hosted in HD by Kay Burley and Adam Boulton. Following the end of the coverage for the evening, channel 517 moved to show a looping preview tape. This tape included the shows that were mentioned above as being available on Sky Anytime. This continued until Sky News HD was launched in full on the evening of 6 May 2010, to coincide with the coverage of the results for the 2010 General Election hosted by Adam Boulton.

On 26 July 2010, Sky News HD launched on the Orbit Showtime Network, broadcasting to the Middle East and Africa.