Canal Digital Sweden is launching its HD service for 9,000 cable TV subscribers in the town of Norrköping. The move is part of a wider plan to introduce HDTV onto cable and IPTV networks across the country.
In the week that Viasat belatedly launched its HD service, Canal Digital has lost no time in reminding Swedes that it was the first platform in Europe to distribute channels in the HD format, launching as long ago as 2005.
Three years later, Canal Digital is using its coverage of the Euro 2008 football championships as a springboard for the extension of its HD service. Tests are planned in Sollentuna through Sollentuna Energi, Västerås over Mälarenergi, Stockholm with OpenNet, Malmö with Öresundskraft and Linköping through Utsikt Linköping.
Eight HD channels – SVT HD, TV4HD, VOOM HD, Discovery HD, Silver HD, The History Channel HD, Canal Plus Sport HD and Canal Plus Film HD – are available from Canal Digital.