The BBC will offer live coverage of World Cup football on HDTV via Sky and Telewest as part of a year-long trial.
It has also teamed up with ITV, Channel 4 and Five to test HDTV broadcasts that can be picked up through normal aerials.
But this trial is restricted to a selected number of Freeview users in the London area.
Widespread HDTV broadcasts via Freeview may not be possible until after the UK has fully switched to digital TV in 2012.
Other highlights in Sky's first week of HDTV include Star Trek Enterprise, live coverage of England's second cricket Test with Sri Lanka and rugby union's Guinness Premiership final.
