Philips Consumer Electronics is set to play a key role in promoting high-definition television (HDTV) in Germany. The company has been selected by German pay-TV operator Premiere to supply set-top boxes for its HDTV service, which is due to launch later this year.

Philips will produce Premiere-enabled HDTV set-top boxes for broad distribution via Philips retailers in Germany and Austria. Toon Bouten, executive vice president and general manager for Philip’s European region said, “As Premiere is playing a pioneering role in the introduction of HDTV in Europe, I am thrilled that Philips has been selected to provide set-top boxes, placing us at yet another major frontier in broadcasting history.”