High five for HD
Virgin Media subscribers will be able to watch Neighbours in high definition as Five HD is now available as part of the standard monthly subscription fee.
The new channel will broadcast a simulcast of Five's schedule to some 3.7m Virgin Media subscribers, including Neighbours, Home & Away, sporting coverage and US dramas such as The Mentalist, Grey's Anatomy and Law and Order.
The launch is good news for the troubled channel which is currently searching for a buyer, having made a high profile exit from IP TV venture Project Canvas, due to money worries.
Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: "Our customers will now be able to enjoy the HD channels of every national terrestrial broadcaster as well as a rapidly growing roster from other broadcasters so we're delighted to give our customers Five, in HD."
Virgin Media has launched 13 HD channels to date, with a further 20 including the eagerly anticipated Sky Sports expected this summer.
Sky recently acquired Virgin media television (VMtv) for a cool £105m, which has been re-named the Living TV Group.