German telco Deutsche Telekom is changing its strategy regarding the DTH version of its IPTV platform Entertain for Astra satellite households (19.2° East).
While Entertain via satellite has so far primarily addressed viewers in regions with no or insufficient broadband coverage, the new offering, which will be launched on May 3, 2018, is aimed at households with a broadband internet connection and a satellite dish who want to combine the advantages of both reception methods.
In addition to interactive functions and on-demand services, TV channels will then also be distributed to satellite households via IPTV; the required broadband internet data rate will be at least 16Mbps. The IPTV line-up will also include the HD versions of the commercial channels. The former cooperation with Astra satellite platform HD+ will therefore end, a Telekom spokesman confirmed to Broadband TV News.
The set-top box will decide for itself which reception method is best for the desired channel: IPTV or satellite. For example, if a channel is only available in HD quality through Astra, the unit will switch to satellite reception – or vice versa. And if satellite reception is affected by weather conditions, the box will change over to IPTV. However, viewers can also manually select the reception method for each channel.
The new Entertain TV Sat comprises more than 300 channels, interactive functions like timeshift, restart and 7-day replay as well as on-demand offers such as exclusive series, Telekom Sport, streaming services including Netflix and broadcasters’ catch-up services, for example from ARD, ZDF, RTL and ProSiebenSat.1.
In the previous satellite version of Entertain launched on September 1, 2011, all TV channels were transmitted to the customers via Astra. Only the interactive features and on-demand services required an internet connection. A data rate of 2-3Mbps was sufficient for this.
Like the DSL/VDSL version, Entertain TV Sat is offered as a triple play package that also includes a telephone and internet connection. In combination with the MagentaZuhause tariffs, Entertain TV Sat costs €5 per month. The Media Receiver 601 Sat required for reception can be rented for €4.95 per month. The set-top-box featuring a built-in 500GB hard drive is also suitable for Ultra HD/HDR content via satellite, IPTV and streaming.
With its change in strategy, Deutsche Telekom is responding to the growing availability of broadband internet access in rural regions and the increased demand from satellite households for streaming services, the spokesman said. Existing customers can continue to use the old version for the time being, but it is no longer actively marketed.
Deutsche Telekom doesn’t offer a reception option for Entertain in regions without broadband internet access any more.
