Switzerland’s largest cable operator UPC Cablecom will terminate the distribution of analogue TV channels on its network in 2015.
At first, the analogue cable TV line-up will be reduced on June 3, 2014, while new digital channels will be added in return, for example TV24 HD (launching on May 12) and 5+ HD (launching in summer).
The customers of the Liberty Global subsidiary will then be able to receive more than 65 unencrypted digital TV channels including 36 HD services using any reception device of their choice. The basic package which will continue to cost CHF29 (€24) per month also contains more than 150 radio stations and internet access with a data rate of 2Mbps.
Customers who don’t have a TV set with an integrated DVB-C cable tuner or a set-top-box will be provided by UPC Cablecom with an analogue-to-digital converter free of charge. The analogue offering will comprise the 17 most-watched channels until analogue switch-off in 2015.
In a large-scale information campaign and on a dedicated website, UPC Cablecom wants to make its customers aware of the upcoming changes and offer extensive assistance. In October 2013, the cable operator already removed several analogue TV channels and increased the digital TV line-up.