The German HD+ platform will add Sport1 HD to its line-up of subscription HD channels on November 1. So far, the platform only offered channels from the RTL and ProSiebenSat.1 groups.
Test broadcasts using the Sport1 HD Demo identifier started yesterday (Monday, August 30). The channel, which used to be called DSF, was already rumoured to be launching an HD version.
Sport1 HD, owned by Constantin Media AG, will focus on live sports including football, motor racing, handball and much more.
The HD+ platforms claims success since market launch: the platform has delivered over 1.2 million smart cards to manufacturers, more than 300,000 HD+ set-top boxes have been sold in retail.
According to research from GfK, nearly 30 per cent of the satellite HD set-top boxes sold in June were HD+ compatible. Around 30 different kinds of set-top box are now available, and more will be on the market soon.
Duering this year’s IFA, Sport1 will also showcase HbbTV: together with HD+, Sport1 presents interactive teletext with multimedia features
In a related development, the German free-to-air channel Annixe HD has limited its transmission hours. The channel is now available between 20.15 and 9.45 during weekdays. On weekends, Annixe HD continues to broadcast 24 hours. The remaining hours are used by SES Astra to broadcast its HD Demo channel for the retail trade.
