The German entertainment channel RTL2 will launch in HD quality on SES Astra’s HD+ platform starting in early December.
RTL2 HD is the seventh private free-TV-channel to launch on HD+. Other channels avaialble HD+ include RTL HD, Sat. 1 HD, ProSieben HD, VOX HD and kabel eins HD and most recently Sport1 HD, which will start on November 1, 2010.
Since its market launch on November 1, 2009, HD+ has been growing fast, according to SES Astra. Over 1.2 million smart cards have been delivered to manufacturers and more than 300,000 HD+ set-top boxes have been sold. To date, over 30 different kinds of set-top box are available, and additional models will be in the market soon.
Wilfried Urner, MD of HD PLUS, said in a statement: ”The launch of RTL2 HD will further extend the programme choice of HD+ and make it even more attractive. The receiver sales demonstrate the popularity of the unique offer and prove that we have developed a successful platform for broadcasters who want to launch high-definition channels in Germany.”