The Polish DTH platform n is to make movies and popular local series available on a VOD basis in HD and Dolby Digital 5.1 from later this month. It will also start showing foreign productions in HD within a matter of weeks. The service, which is backed by ITI Group, made its debut in October 2006 offering three HD channels and introduced a push VOD service a month later. Separately, it is reported that rate cards on Polsat and TVN, Poland’s two national commercial stations, have been raised by an average of 40% this month, while that at publicly owned TVP’s is up by 12%. While the figures are exceptionally large, it is noted that January/February are traditionally quiet months for TV advertising in Poland. Aster has meanwhile announced that it has started to carry HBO Comedy. Aster is Poland’s fourth largest cable operator, with networks in Kraków, Zielona Góra and the capital, Warsaw.(CD)
