HD+ gathers pace in Germany
April 10, 2012
By Chris Forrester
Germany’s Super RTL is joining the SES Astra-backed HD+ HDTV transmission scheme over Germany, operating from its 19.2 degrees East satellites.
Effective May 1st, the channel brings to 13 the number of commercial HD+ channels on air plus the existing HD+ free-to-air (public and regional) broadcasters, taking the total to more than 30.
HD+ is a simple concept where SES provides a ‘technical’ soft-encryption platform which satisfies studio and programme suppliers that encryption of their HD content is being applied. Viewers have to buy an enabled HD+ set-top box or Common Interface module, and pay an annual fee of €50.