Sky Deutschland adopts HD+
April 11, 2011
By Chris Forrester
HD+ is the mechanism where Germany’s commercial broadcasters can soft-encrypt their high-definition output. The system has been adopted by eight commercial channels in HD: RTL HD, SAT.1 HD, ProSieben HD, VOX HD, kabel eins HD, RTL II HD, SPORT 1 HD and sixx HD. The channels are broadcast encrypted and are available for a technical service fee of €50 per year. Sky Deutschland will adopt the system this summer.
The decision is a major coup for SES Astra, and will significantly increase the universe for HD+.
Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES Astra, said: “Our cooperation with Sky significantly extends the technical reach of HD+ and adds another highly attractive target group with a strong affinity to premium programmes and high end technologies like HDTV. The cooperation with Sky and the increase of our technical reach underpin the high attractiveness of the HD+ offer for broadcasters and viewers, and confirm that our concept of a neutral technical platform available to all viewers and platforms is successful.”