Canal+ has launched a test channel in the Ultra HD format.
The French-language Tele Satellite reports the channel has been seen on the Astra 1L satellite.
But no subscriber will be able to view the channel because the paycaster doesn’t yet have a commercially available UHD receiver.
Canal is said to be developing a UHD capable version of its famous Le Cube set-top, but that won’t be available until 2016.
Astra operator SES now broadcasts UHD demonstration channels across Europe using three orbital positions (19.2 degrees East, 28.2 degrees East and 5 degrees East). The 19.2 degrees East orbital position was also used for a test broadcast of the Champions League final produced by UEFA in UHD on 6 June 2015.
