Pioneering HD broadcaster Euro1080 is closing its HD3 channel and reducing the number of satellites from where it broadcasts.
Culture channel HD3 is being merged with sports channel HD1 to create a broad-based channel that will run under the HD1 name. EXQI Sport and EXQI Culture will continue to broadcast in Belgium where they have local cable carriage.
From August 15 the channels will no longer be carried on Eutelsat W3 (7 degrees East), but will continue to be transmitted on Eurobird 9A (9 degrees East).
Launched in January 2004 by the Belgian production company Alfacam, Euro1080 was the first HD broadcaster in Europe, however its position has been eroded by subsequent launches from both the public and commercial sector.