British satellite broadcaster BSkyB has launched a new HD channel for the UK and Ireland in a joint venture with MGM studios. MGM HD will show remastered films around the clock in HD resolution.

December 15, 2009 — BSkyB yesterday launched an HD channel in collaboration with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. The new channel adds to the 36 HD channels already available via Sky in the UK, and will broadcast high-definition content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In a joint press release, the companies said that broadcasts will consist of handpicked films, from MGM’s vast back catalogue, remastered in HD — these will include old cinematic greats such as “Annie Hall”, “The Apartment”, and “The Fortune Cookie”.

Old meets new: MGM has remastered a massive range of films from its library.

MGM HD will be available to users already subscribing to Sky’s “Dual Movie” and HD packs, or separately for a monthly fee of 5 GBP. For more information on receiving HDTV broadcasts in the UK, check out our how-to article First Steps to HDTV.