Sales have surged in part because, for the first time, HD-quality broadcasts of World Cup matches will be available to more than half of households, thanks to the roll-out of HD channels on digital terrestrial TV service Freeview.
The BBC and ITV, which jointly hold the broadcasting rights to the 64 World Cup matches being played in South Africa, will both be showing live coverage on their HD channels on Freeview, BBC HD and ITV1 HD.
In addition, 80% of receivers sold for Freesat receivers, the digital satellite TV service launched by the BBC and ITV, have been HD-capable – about 800,000 of the customer base.
Ofcom reckons HD is the first major development in the World Cup viewing experience since colour was introduced for the 1970 tournament in Mexico.
Although not producing live coverage of World Cup matches, BSkyB has more than 2.5 million digital satellite customers with HD, and Virgin Media's digital cable TV service has close to 1 million, who will have access to BBC HD and ITV HD.
