13 March 2006
The UK's first high definition (HD) TV service has been launched and is available to over four and a half million homes.
Telewest is the company behind the new service, after it launched its new personal video recorder (PVR) called TVDrive.
Consumers subscribe to the TVDrive service via a set-top box.
The HD programmes improved picture quality and are available through Telewest's TV-on-demand service called Teleport. Programmes available in HD have four times as many pixels as normal television images, giving crystal clear pictures even on large screens.
Philip Snalune, managing director of consumer products at ntl Telewest, said: "HDTV takes the viewing experience a significant step beyond standard digital television and has to be seen to be believed. It's set to become this year's must-have home entertainment experience and Telewest customers are the first in the UK to get access to it.
"We'll add more choice of high definition viewing this year and combining TVDrive with our existing on-demand service we're giving customers TV on their terms. Viewers no longer need be tied to the schedule and can now watch what they want, when they want, with unparalleled picture quality."
The TVDrive service will cost £10 per month for customers who already subscribe to Telewest's top digital TV package and £15 a month for other customers.
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