Sky has confirmed that Five HD will be made available on the satellite platform in the summer, despite the channel failing to launch on Freeview HD.

In July, Sky+ HD homes will be able to watch the broadcaster's schedule of high definition programming, including US dramas, Australian soap operas and international sports such as cricket and Europa League football.

Five HD becomes the 42nd channel to join Sky's HD lineup, following news that ITV1 HD, Sky News HD, Sky Sports 4 HD and the Hallmark Channel HD will all launch in the months ahead. Sky aims to have 50 HD channels available by Christmas.

However, the move follows confirmation from Ofcom that Five HD will not launch on Freeview HD before 2012, after the broadcaster failed to supply a launch date or programming schedule

Five's director of strategy Charles Constable described the launch on Sky as an "exciting opportunity" for the commercial broadcaster.

He said: "Our programme schedule is more suited to HD than that any other major free-to-air commercial broadcaster given the wide range of high quality series we broadcast, such as our top-rated line-up of US dramas. We're delighted to begin our HD journey with Sky."

Sky director of product management Hilary Perchard added: "We're delighted to announce the addition of Five HD to Sky+ HD, the UK's leading high definition service.

"Sky remains committed to delivering customers the best HD service available, and this means continuing to launch high-quality channels right across the schedule. With the best of free and pay-TV now in HD, there's never been a better time to embrace HD."