Premiere to broadcast HDTV in Germany

net1

Munich-based pay-TV operator Premiere is to start broadcasting three high-definition TV (HDTV) channels from November 1 2005, in a move that is expected to kick-start HDTV in Germany and Austria.

The three channels will show sport, film and documentaries and be broadcast via the ASTRA satellite system. Premiere also later intends to introduce its HDTV package on cable networks.

"The launch of HDTV on Premiere will give considerable impetus to the digital TV market in Germany," said Premiere's Chief Executive Officer, Georg Kofler, at the opening of the IBC trade fair in Amsterdam. "We expect it to provide a strong boost to hardware manufacturers and the TV production sector."

The marketing of HDTV receivers suitable for Premiere is scheduled to begin during the run-up to the Christmas season 2005.

Paris-based Euroconsult predicts that HDTV is now about to take off in Europe, after trailing behind the US and Japan. It forecasts sales of over 15m HDTV compatible television sets in Western Europe by 2008.