German cable operator TeleColumbus will add the ten new HD channels from the public broadcasters ARD and ZDF to its line-up when they start broadcasting on May 1. Germany’s three largest cablers, Kabel Deutschland, Unitymedia and Kabel BW have so far not decided whether to carry these HD channels or not.
The two thematic digital channels from ARD, Eins Plus and Eins Festival, have started to broadcast their audio in Dolby Digital (AC3) as part of the SD stream.
The ProSiebenSat.1 group has signed a distribution agreement with Unitymedia to carry a third premium channel from the group, ProSieben Fun, on the extented digital tiers of the Cologne-based cabler.
Kabel BW said it will re-programme all channels in the EPG on its HD cable tuners placing the HD versions of the most popular channels in front of the list.
