TecTime TV, the German thematic channel focussing on technology and multimedia, will in future reach its viewers’ TV screens through the internet instead of satellite.
“After 22 years of linear television, it has become time to adjust to the requirements of the market. Most people now assemble their programmes individually through catch-up services and streaming portals at the time of their choice,” the channel’s founder Christian Mass alias Dr.Dish writes in the latest edition of the channel’s newsletter.
“TecTime TV responds to this development by terminating its classic linear TV service on February 22, 2016 at around 11.00 CET,” he adds.
A caption (see image) will then appear on the channel’s former slot on Astra (19.2° East) requesting viewers to connect their smart TV set or set-top-box to the internet and activate the HbbTV function. After a few seconds, the TecTime TV livestream in HD quality will launch automatically. Viewers can also access the free-to-air channel’s catch-up service.
TecTime TV (formerly Dr.Dish TV) doesn’t expect the closure of the conventional satellite distribution to lead to significant viewers losses: A current survey resulted in 92% of reception devices containing an HbbTV/smart TV function, according to the Munich-based broadcaster.
With the transformation into an OTT service, TecTime TV wants to expand its programmes. “We want to become more interactive in future and also have the possibility to screen live shows. Both of this wouldn’t have been possible for us through classic linear television,” concludes the statement.
