IFA 2009 – BERLIN. This week, public broadcaster ARD is showcasing HD on two channels during the IFA in Berlin. Broadcasting on the Astra satellite, two channels will be available, Das Erste HD and Eins Festival HD.
ARD will simulcast its main channel Das Erste in HD with a number of native HD programmes as well as up-scaled programming. Eins Festival HD will transmit solely native HD content. Also, ZDF will simulcast in HD during the event.
Both ARD and ZDF will cease the HD simulcasts after IFA ends to return during the Christmas holiday season with more showcase programming. Regular HD broadcasts will start during the Winter Olympics early 2010.
The French-German Arte channel will also show a large number of native HD programmes during the show and the weeks following.
Commercial broadcaster Annixe HD, which broadcasts free-to-air on Astra, said it has acquired new HD programming, but will cut back its number of hours during the week concentrating on the evenings and weekends. From October, Annixe HD will broadcast weekdays from 8pm till midnight and 24 hours overt the weekend.
