German public broadcaster ZDF will continue to transmit its TV channels ZDF, ZDFinfo and ZDFneo in standard definition (SD) on Astra (19.2° East) in addition to HD resolution until at least 2020.
ZDF has extended its carriage contract for the provision of SD transponder capacity accordingly. The public broadcaster also wants to provide Astra with selected original productions shot in Ultra HD quality for showcase channels such as UHD1 in future.
“We are very happy that we are able to continue the successful partnership with ZDF regarding SD distribution and also make the first joint step towards Ultra HD,” said Christoph Mühleib, managing director of Astra Deutschland. “Astra will continue to offer satellite TV households in Germany a large channel variety on all quality levels in the coming years: SD, HD – and even the first programmes in Ultra HD.”
