The switchover of DTT in Germany from DVB-T to successor system DVB-T2/HEVC on March 29, 2017 drives the sale of compliant set-top-boxes.
In January 2017, around 165,000 DVB-T2 receivers were sold – more than twice as many as in December 2016 (79,000 boxes), reports industry association Deutsche TV-Plattform with reference to figures from GfK Retail & Technology.
81% (134,000) of the boxes sold in January 2017 were equipped with the green DVB-T2 HD logo and therefore capable of receiving both the unencrypted public and the encrypted commercial channels on the Freenet TV platform.
From early 2016 until the end of January 2017, a total of 503,000 DVB-T2 set-top-boxes were sold of which 351,000 (70%) carried the DVB-T2 HD logo.
“The rising sales figures and the high share of boxes sold with the green DVB-T2 HD logo are positive developments. Customers increasingly prefer devices capable of receiving all channels, both public and commercial,” said Carine Chardon, managing director of Deutsche TV-Plattform.
“The total sales figures, however, also show that most DVB-T households had not made the transition at the end of January 2017. That’s a good opportunity for retailers to generate additional revenues,” added Chardon.
Around 3.4 million German households use DVB-T and are therefore affected by the changeover. The current DVB-T receivers are not suitable for reception of DVB-T2.
Deutsche TV-Plattform issues the green logo on request to manufacturers of TV sets, set-top-boxes and aerials. In early March 2017, the association had certificated more than 1,400 device models from over 30 manufacturers. Devices not carrying the logo can only receive the unencrypted channels.
