HD+, the fee-based satellite platform offering the HD versions of free-to-air TV channels to German DTH households on Astra (19.2° East), has increased its number of customers to 1.84 million at the end of 2015.
This corresponds with a 11.3% growth compared with December 31, 2014 (1.65 million customers). Further 1.1 million satellite households are currently in the six-month free trial period.
The latest additions by the subsidiary of Astra satellite operator SES were MTV HD and 4K Ultra HD channel UHD1 by Astra/HD+.
“TV screen sizes positively correlate to picture and sound quality; people who own big screens would like to watch TV content in better quality and are prepared to pay for this,” said said Wilfried Urner, chairman of the management board of HD Plus. “The strong growth that we are seeing in HD+ is proof that our customers like what they see on HD+ and are willing to pay for it.”
“And it doesn’t stop there. With one million UHD screens sold in Germany in 2015, HD is now seen as a minimum requirement for these UHD TVs. It is clear that the desire for better picture quality has never been greater,” added Urner. “Satellite covers virtually 100% of households with broadcast video capability, delivering flawless HD and UHD content, and is the ideal infrastructure to offer the brilliant TV viewing experience that audiences are looking for.”