SKY HDTV was launched today in Brazil, offering subscribers 10 high definition channels in 5,000 cities. The channels include Discovery Theater HD, FOX-NatGeo HD, ESPN HD, MGM HD, TNT HD, Voom HD, Space HD, HBO HD, HBO and SexZone HD (adult). Seven of the channels contain original programming (different from the standard-def) that is only available through SKY.
“I am very proud of this launch. After a long merger process (SKY and DIRECTV), leading this market is vitally important. For the first time, we will be able to provide 1,800,000 customers with a product/service that has no equal in the Brazilian market,” says Luiz Eduardo Baptista, SKY President.
SKY is the largest digital pay TV service provider in Brazil with approximately 1,800,000 digital subscribers. The company is controlled by DIRECTV Group, which holds approximately 74% of the shares and Globo Comunicacoes e Participacoes (Globo) with approximately 26% of the shares.