The Walt Disney Company has today announced that children's channel Disney XD will launch in high definition on Sky next week.

A HD simulcast of Disney XD will officially become available to all Sky+ HD subscribers throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland on October 18.

The channel will broadcast HD versions of Disney XD's popular live action shows and animated programmes, such as Phineas And Ferb, I'm in the Band, Kick Buttowski and Zeke and Luther.

"The arrival of Disney XD in HD is another great example of The Walt Disney Company's commitment to bringing kids and families the best possible entertainment experiences through the most compelling mediums," said Boel Ferguson, vice president and general manager of Disney Channels UK & Ireland.

"Disney XD is a unique proposition designed to excite and engage a boy-focused, girl-inclusive audience and shows like Phineas And Ferb, I'm in the Band and Kick Buttowski have been hugely popular with our viewers. Disney XD's technology-savvy audience is perfectly aligned with the HD proposition, and we can't wait to bring all of their favourite shows to them in crystal clear high definition."

Rob Webster, director of Sky's commercial group, added: "We're delighted to add Disney XD HD to our unrivalled HD offering which now reaches more than three million HD subscribers.

"We are committed to continue to work with high-quality content partners to ensure we carry on delivering the very best HD service on the market."

Disney XD, which is targeted at boys aged six to 14, launched in August last year to replace the previous Jetix offering.

Since its launch, the channel has seen a 50% year-on-year increase in viewers, with one in five boys within the target group now watching every week.

source: digitalspy