Bavarian media authority BLM is reorganising the DTH satellite distribution of the German federal state’s local TV channels on Astra (19.2° East).
From July 1, 2021, the 14 channels will just occupy one transponder instead of two transponders: transponder 23 (11.552 H, SR 22,000, FEC 2/3) will be kept, transponder 49 (10.714 H, SR 22,000, FEC 2/3) will be dropped.
According to BLM, the costs saved are to be invested in the quality of the programme content and thus continue to fully benefit local television. As a consequence of the reorganisation, BLM is bundling the programmes of the local broadcasters in new joint channels covering neighbouring regions: Franken plus HD, OTVA HD, Niederbayern TV HD and a.tv HD.
The satellite distribution of münchen.tv and tv.ingolstadt will remain unchanged.
Bayerische Medien Technik (bmt), the subsidiary of BLM and Bavaria’s public broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk responsible for the satellite distribution of the Bavarian local TV channels, had extended its partnership with Astra satellite operator SES in April, securing the transponder capacity. The fact that a transponder will be dropped as part of the renewed agreement was not mentioned at the time.
The local TV channels will continue to broadcast as 24-hour services on the cable networks in their local coverage areas as well as when being selected through the red button on HbbTV-compliant TV sets connected to the internet. The channels will also remain available through the local TV portal.
