Tele Columbus will offer its subscribers a single digital receiver following a new agreement with Sky Deutschland, continuing the approach by the paycaster towards the cable sector that begun with Net Cologne early last month.
This announcement of a Simulcrypt including NDS VideoGuard within Tele Columbus networks will allow cross access of content on the respective offerings from Tele Columbus and Sky. Simulcrypt is also used in Kabel Deutschland networks.
Dietmar Schickel, managing director of the Tele Columbus group, said the joint approach would lead to increased digital penetration while ensuring the security of the platform. The agreement represents a significant financial saving for both digital operators.
It means that customers of the German cableco will be able to receive over 40 channels in the digital format, and significantly the five HD channels from ProSiebenSat.1 that have so far been missing from Sky Deutschland’s HD offer.
“Through co-operating with Tele Columbus, we can use our attractive packages in the future much more effectively market to the cable customers of Tele Columbus. And the audience will still get easy access to an enhanced digital TV service,” said Wolfram Winter, Sky Deutschland’s senior vice president of distribution.
The two companies will also engage in a series of marketing activities, particularly on Sky’s Bundesliga coverage.
