Sky to open HD/3D launch queue
March 31, 2010 by Julian Clover
BSkyB is opening a new HD/3D launch queue designed to fast-track channels broadcasting in either of the formats onto its electronic programme guide. Read the Story »
Jump-start for Dutch HD
February 26, 2010 by Robert Briel
The Dutch Monitor Digital Television shows bright prospects for HD. Following a period of lukewarm consumer interest, HD is now set to take off in the country. Read the Story »
More HD to come as Virgin delays ASO
September 3, 2009 by Julian Clover
Virgin Media is looking to the Ofcom review of the UK pay-TV market to help increase the number of HD channels on the cablenet. It also says its relationship with its satellite rival and content supplier is better than it has ever been. Read the Story »
European public broadcasters leading the HD way
June 24, 2009 by Robert Briel
Europe-wide, public broadcasters are leading the way in the rollout of high definition channels. Just last week, the Dutch public broadcasters announced the simulcast of their three national nets, and in Germany ZDF said it would beef up its HD showcase channel.
While in the UK Sky is pushing HD with a large number of channels and marketing to match the offer, in continental Europe it seems that public broadcasters are leading the way. Read the Story »
German HD+ platform – more questions than answers
June 10, 2009 by Robert Briel
Last week, SES Astra announced the launch of HD+, a new platform for broadcasters. Remarkably, the press release was very vague and contained few details, having all the signs of a hastily put together statement that would inevitably lead to rumours. Read the Story »
Dutch look for HD business models
April 18, 2009 by Robert Briel
Dutch cable operators and broadcasters are still looking for business models to create new services including HD and VOD. Read the Story »
Canal Digital Cable HD success
February 17, 2009 by Julian Clover
Canal Digital Norway has achieved a 30% penetration of HD receivers in cable households from a standing start 12 months ago. It follows the cable and satellite pay-TV operation’s move to include HD channels as part of its overall proposition, rather than charge an additional fee for an HD tier. Read the Story »
Dutch HD subscriptions lag way behind hardware sales
November 22, 2008 by Robert Briel
Does content drive hardware sales? Not necessarily, if we look at the rapid take-up of HD capable flat screens in a number of European countries. In Germany and The Netherlands, in particular, sales of HD ready and full HD screens are buoyant, but very few people subscribe to HD channels. At the same time, sales of Blu-ray players are not very impressive, and it remains anyone’s guess as to why this is happening. Read the Story »
Satellite driving HD and digital
September 22, 2008 by Robert Briel
Both Astra and Eutelsat agree that HD is finally taking off in Europe. “After a slow start, satellite HDTV streams have multiplied by a factor of four over the last two years,” said Matteo Altobelli, marketing manager Eutelsat, during an IBC press conference. “A relatively slow start is typical of markets that require several elements to be aligned to take off (e.g. content, TV sets, STBs, SD, production equipment, consumer awareness). In June 2006, there were 34 HD streams on satellite, a year later 51, now there are 135 channels in Europe in HD.” Read the Story »
Super Hi-Vision attracts IBC crowds
September 17, 2008 by Julian Clover
Super Hi-Vision received its first live transmission at IBC 2008 as delegates packed into the NHK Theatre.
The 7680 x 4320 pixel system is the brainchild of The Broadcast Technology Futures Group, a collaboration between NHK, the BBC, RAI and the EBU. The demonstration involved an IP transmission over optical fibre from City Hall in London and a satellite transmission from Turin, Italy, thanks to the use of two transponders on Eutelsat’s Atlantic Bird satellite (5 degrees East). Read the Story »
