ZDF: Shutdown of SD channels imminent

ZDF is discontinuing the transmission of its programs in SD quality via satellite on Tuesday. This long-planned step is primarily intended to reduce costs. In addition to satellite users, many viewers who receive their television via a cable contract are also affected. Providers such as Vodafone are using the deadline to also end the SD distribution of ZDF channels.

In addition to ZDF, the channels ZDFinfo, ZDFneo, 3sat, and KiKA are impacted by the SD shutdown on November 18th. At the beginning of the year, the SD broadcast of ARD channels was discontinued. Public broadcasters argue that the SD channels of the programs are hardly used. “By ending the double broadcast in SD and HD after almost 15 years, ZDF is reducing the costs for its program distribution and thus also meeting the justified expectation of economical and frugal use of broadcasting contributions,” the ZDF writes in an FAQ.

HD receiver necessary

Since the SD signal of ARD has already been switched off, there should be hardly any nasty surprises by the ZDF deadline. Anyone who can currently still watch ARD channels via satellite already has an HD-capable receiver. Anyone who does not yet have an SD receiver and wants to continue watching ZDF must buy a new receiver.

HD receivers can also be connected to televisions that are not HD-capable themselves. If the ZDF's HD channels are not visible in the list with an HD-capable receiver, a program search may be necessary.

The satellite shutdown of the SD signal of the public broadcasters is based on a recommendation from the Commission for the Determination of the Financial Needs of Broadcasting Institutions (KEF). The KEF has been advising the broadcasting groups for years to only broadcast their content in HD to save costs. In 2021, the KEF estimated the savings potential at 13.7 million euros and cut funding for SD broadcasting.

(dahe)