Austrian public broadcaster ORF will discontinue the SD distribution of its domestic television channels via Astra (19.2° East) on 7 January 2025.
The channels will then only be available in HD resolution via the satellite system. The move affects ORF 1, ORF 2 and ORF III, while ORF SPORT+ is already broadcasting exclusively in HD.
ORF is making viewers aware of the upcoming switch-off in captions shown in the SD versions of the channels.
ORF has been broadcasting its TV channels in SD and HD in parallel via Astra since 2008. The satellite signals are encrypted for copyrights reasons; only residents of Austria are entitled to obtain the smartcards required for reception.
On 7 January 2025, German public broadcaster ARD will also cease SD satellite distribution of its TV channels via Astra.
