Channel 4 has announced that is it launching a HD service on Sky from Monday 10 December.

Programmes will be the same as on Channel 4 but with a proportion produced and broadcast in HD.

At launch, Channel 4 has said that the new HD channel will include a selection of entertainment, music, movie and drama content, with highlights including Ugly Betty, music events including The Scissor Sisters and Keane live in concert and both classic and contemporary movies.

The channel has also promised the number of programmes available in HD will grow over time as the channel acquires and produces more high definition content.

Following a recent deal between Channel 4 and Lime Pictures, Hollyoaks will be available in HD from Spring 2008, making it the first home-grown soap to announce its commitment to being produced in HD.

Channel 4 HD will be available without a subscription to viewers with a Sky HD box and active Sky viewing card.

With the addition of Channel 4 HD there will now be 14 dedicated HD channels available on the Sky platform, by far the widest choice in Europe, including Sky Movies HD1 and HD2, Sky Sports HD1 and HD2, Sky One HD, Sky Arts HD, History Channel HD, Discovery Channel HD, National Geographic HD, Luxe TV HD, two Sky Box Office HD channels and BBC HD.