The long-awaited Slovak DTH platform Antik Sat, operated by the Kosice-based company Antik Telecom, has made its commercial debut.
However, reports Parabola, the service, which is distributed by Eutelsat 16A and produced in cooperation with Telekom Austria, is at present only available to Antik Telecom’s existing customers.
It adds that Antik Sat is initially targeting viewers who are beyond the reach of its fibre-optic network.
It is being provided as part of a triple play offer and for no additional fee, following a one-off outlay of €119 for installation, a set-top box, satellite dish, cables and card.
As part of the offer, viewers also get free access to the AntikTVGo service, a TV Everywhere service which includes over 50 channels and a catch-up TV archive.
Although Antik Sat’s basic package of 59 channels is free, viewers can also opt for a package of HBO channels for €9.90 a month.
Telekom Austria is providing the satellite capacity for the new DTH platform, which was announced during this year’s IBC in Amsterdam.
At the time, Igor Kolla, general manager of Antik Telecom said: “In addition to our own customers we intend to address other Slovak and Czech providers who are keen to offer TV services. Our joint turnkey solution enables them to address their subscribers with TV services combined with internet and telephony at favourable rates without initial investment.”
Antik Telecom was initially expected to launch its hybrid DTH platform in Q1 this year.