Digital TV Guides

How to watch the World Cup 2010 in HD

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

For the first time ever you’ll be able to watch every goal, penalty and red card of the World Cup in high-definition on BBC HD and ITV1 HD. But how do you get HD TV? (Updated 21/4/10)

When the 2010 World Cup kicks off in South Africa on 11 June, UK footy fans will be able to watch every game in crystal clear high-definition (HD) on BBC HD and ITV1 HD for the first time since the tournament began in 1930.

HD TV is a new form of television technology that lets viewers watch programmes and films with sharper, brighter images and clearer, more defined sound. To watch programmes in high-definition you will need a HD ready TV. For more information, read our guide to high-definition TV.

So, if you’ve got a HD ready TV and want to watch England, Spain, France and Brazil compete for the title of the world’s greatest football team, read our guide below to find out how to watch the World Cup 2010 in high-definition…

Watch the World Cup in HD with Sky

Sky (www.sky.co.uk) is the UK’s largest satellite TV provider and a frontrunner when it comes to high-definition programming. It offers the largest selection of HD channels, including both ITV1 HD and BBC HD, alongside other premium HD sports channels and a large range of film and documentary high-definition channels.

To watch the World Cup on Sky in high-definition, you must have a Sky+HD set-top box connected to a HD ready TV by a HDMI cable. The HD set-top box is currently free and has all the same features of the Sky+ box, letting users pause, rewind and record live TV.

Channels on Sky are grouped into two viewing packs - Sky Entertainment features entertainment, style and culture channels and Sky Extra includes these channels plus everything else, from kid's and documentaries to music channels. It costs £20.00 for Sky Entertainment and £25.00 for the Sky Extra. You can then add Sky’s premium sports and movie packs for extra.

If you want to be able to watch the HD channels though, you must also subscribe to the HD pack, which costs an extra £10 a month.

Football fans with Sky

If you’re looking for the ultimate high-definition TV sports package, sign-up for the Sky+HD set-top box with the Sky Sports pack, ESPN and the HD pack for an extra £37.50 a month on top of the pack costs (which start from £18 for one pack).

Watch the World Cup in HD with Virgin Media

Virgin Media’s (www.virginmedia.com) currently offers 8 high-definition channels through its cable TV service. These include both BBC HD and ITV HD, so you can watch all the World Cup. Customers can also watch American sports channel ESPN in high-definition, as well as a range on-demand TV in HD.

To watch high-definition content on Virgin Media, you’ll need a subscription to the Size XL TV package, which costs £23 a month plus the cost of a Virgin Media phone line.

You’ll also need either the V HD Box or the V+HD Box connected to a HD ready TV by a HDMI cable. The boxes cost £49, however this is a one of cost, and once you have the box you’ll only need to pay a subscription for the XL TV package to access Virgin’s growing range of HD channels.

Football fans with Virgin Media

If you’ve got Virgin Media’s cable TV service in your home, subscribing to the XL package and getting a V+HD or V HD box will let you watch every World Cup game in high-definition. If you’re looking for the more sports channels, you can add Man Utd TV and the Sky Sports channels for extra each month.

Watch the World Cup in HD for free

If you’re on a budget, fans with Freeview and Freesat will be able to watch the World Cup in HD for free, providing they live in an area that can receive the BBC HD and ITV1 HD channels.

Both Freeview and Freesat are subscription-free digital TV providers, so the only cost you have to pay to watch high-definition channels is for the hardware. Freeview HD set-top boxes cost around £180, and to watch high-definition on Freesat you’ll need a HD set-top box, which start from £70. With Freesat you will also have to have a satellite TV dish installed.

While Freesat HD is already available to most of the country, Freeview HD will only be available to around 50% of the UK by the time the World Cup kicks off on 11 June. To find out whether you live in an area that can receive Freeview HD, use our HD coverage postcode checker.

Our World Cup recommendations

Jon Ingram, operations director at Digitalchoices.co.uk, said: “If you haven’t already, invest in a HD ready TV and make sure you’re set to watch some first class football in superb high-definition. HD TV was made for sports.”

“For the ultimate HD package, sign-up to Sky (www.sky.co.uk) or Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com),” said Ingram. “You’ll get loads more channels, so even when the tournament’s over, you’ll be able to watch all your favourite shows in HD.”

So which country does Ingram think fancies its chances in the World Cup?: “With so many big teams competing this year, it’s hard to pick a clear favourite - though obviously I have my fingers crossed for England. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to see Rooney and our boys lifting that trophy?”

He added: “I have a feeling Spain will be the team to watch this year, though Germany and France will, as always, play some great games. Watching them in HD with Dolby surround sound will be nearly as exciting as watching them in South Africa.”