Sky Deutschland is launching Sky Atlantic HD during the month of May, featuring the German and Austrian premieres of HBO original series.
Sky Atlantic HD will broadcast HBO series including the second season of Game of Thrones, the third season of Boardwalk Empire, and classic series including The Sopranos, Entourage, The Wire, Angels in America and Band of Brothers. The Sky Atlantic brand is already used under a similar concept in the UK.
All HBO original series will also become available on multiscreen services Sky Anytime (on the Sky+ HD receive and Sky Go on the web on viewers’ iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Xbox 360.
Brian Sullivan, CEO of Sky Germany, said in a statement: “The launch of Sky Atlantic HD is a sensation for all entertainment enthusiasts. This is what Sky is: the best, high quality entertainment for our customers, which they can’t get anywhere else. We present these series for the first time and exclusively in HD, and are completely flexible accessible on Sky Anytime and Sky. The launch marks a milestone in Germany and Austria.”
“The collection of all HBO programmes on a single channel that is Audiences in the largest possible benefit from the HBO brand, “said Charles Schreger, president of programming sales at HBO. “Sky Deutschland closely follows this strategy and is therefore the best and most innovative partner for us.”
With the launch of Sky Atlantic HD, Sky Germany is building its market-leading HD offering. Sky HD customers will have over 40 channels in HD. At the end of 2011, the number of premium Sky HD customers grew by over 60% to a total of 974,000.
For the expansion of its HD offering, Sky Deutschland has contracted an additional transponder on the Astra satellite system at 19.2 degrees East, effective from June 1.
