German public broadcaster ARD will cease the satellite distribution of its TV channels in SD resolution on Astra (19.2° East) in January 2021.
German RTL channels to remain unencrypted in SD on Astra
The free-TV channels of German commercial broadcaster Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland will continue to be available in SD quality unencrypted via Astra (19.2° East) until at least 2024.
ARD eyes SD switch-off on Astra in 2020
SD switch-off on Astra (19.2° East) comes closer with German public broadcaster ARD having renewed its contract with satellite operator SES for SD distribution only until mid-2020.
ARD and ZDF could switch off SD on Astra in 2020
KEF, the commission for the evaluation of the public licence fee for ARD and ZDF, aims for the public broadcasters to terminate the SD distribution of their TV channels on Astra (19.2° East) for DTH satellite households in mid-2020.