ProSiebenSat.1 extends DTT stay
April 2, 2013
Full-service provider Media Broadcast and German commercial broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 Group have extended their contracts for DTT distribution to 2018.
The long-term commitment of ProSiebenSat.1 ensures the long-term attractiveness of digital terrestrial television in Germany. The extended deal means that in addition to public service programmes and special-interest channels, the offers of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group will also be available for reception by terrestrial antennas.
Bernd Kraus, CEO of Media Broadcast, said the agreement demonstrated the performance and sustainability of digital terrestrial TV. According to the digitisation report of the German State Media Authorities, nearly 5 million TV households in Germany use digital terrestrial broadcasting, of which 3.7 million households have this as the primary means of reception. By the continuation of DTT distribution, ProSiebenSat.1 is also ensuring additional coverage for the advertising market.
“We have decided to continue to make our programmes available to the widest possible audience. By so doing, we ensure the transmission of terrestrial television for millions of households in Germany”, said Conrad Albert, Member of the Executive Board & General Counsel (Legal, Distribution and Regulatory Affairs) for ProSiebenSat.1. “We are now awaiting strong support from the government, to keep this transmission platform economically viable.”
According to Kraus, the “clear stance” of ProSiebenSat.1 would also encourage all other market participants to participate in the development of digital terrestrial television constructively and with the viewers in mind. “We now need a cross-industry dialogue on the future of media distribution in Germany, based on a long-term, stable policy framework. This means specifically securing the existing frequency resources,” he stated.