[Satellite Today 10-13-09] HD Plus, a subsidiary of SES Astra, will launch its HD+ service in Germany at the beginning of November, SES Astra confirmed Oct. 12.

             The market launch will begin with HD channels from broadcasters RTL and VOX. HD versions of Sat.1, ProSieben and kabel eins will be added in January. In addition to the HD channels of the private broadcasters, all unencrypted HD programs as well as all other digital offers broadcast via Astra will be available. 

The first receivers will be available commercially at launch. TV viewers can use HD+ for one year free of charge by purchasing a HD+ satellite receiver. For the HD+ offer, there is no subscription or contractual obligation

“TV viewers in Germany have already bought 17 million HDTV sets, thus impressively showing that they are ready for HD. HD+ is a simple and very customer-friendly product and immediately opens up the fascination of HD for viewers. For us, this is a decisive factor for the market launch of the service,” Wilfried Urner, CEO of HD Plus., said in a statement.

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