SCI FI HD Gets U.K. Launch

January 26, 2009 World Screen
LONDON: A high-definition version of SCI FI Channel will debut this evening on  Sky+HD in the U.K., and will feature hits such as Eli Stone and Tin Man. 
 
SCI FI HD subscribers will be able to watch the exclusive British premiere of the second season of Eli Stone, along with Tin Man and Sanctuary. A number of films will make their HD debut, including Cyclops and the SCI FI original production Ba’al: The Storm God. 
 
"We are thrilled to introduce SCI FI HD in the U.K.," said Laurence Dawkin-Jones, the managing director for NBC Universal Global Networks for the U.K. "Our SCI FI audience is early adopting, highly discerning and strongly loyal consumers of science fiction and it is a natural evolution of the SCI FI brand to offer them such high-quality targeted programming. Out of our four channel brands in the U.K., including Hallmark, Diva TV and Movies24, SCI FI is the natural choice to be our first brand in the U.K. to launch in HD."
 
"Launching SCI FI in HD on Sky is an important move forward for our ongoing international channels expansion strategy," added Roma Khanna, the president of Global Networks & Digital Initiatives at NBC Universal. "HD has been and will continue to be a major focus for Global Networks, following our first successful HD launch in France over a year ago. HD is a core part of our strategy of rapid expansion as we grow from our current 70 channels to over 90 channels in the next year. HD offers our subscribers the best premium viewing experience as they engage with our world-class brands."
 
Hilary Perchard, the director of product management for BSkyB, commented: "We are delighted to welcome SCI FI HD to our ever expanding Sky+HD channel lineup. SCI FI HD will be our 31st high-definition channel and add even more choice and quality to the Sky+HD experience. Be it sports, movies, entertainment, drama or documentaries, our customers can enjoy the intensity and richness of HD whatever their interests and passions."