Vodafone: Das Erste and third channels only in HD from next year
Germany's largest cable network operator is set to switch completely to HD for “Das Erste” and the third TV channels in 2025, thus switching off SD distribution.
(Image: dpa, Monika Skolimowska)
Vodafone, Germany's largest cable network operator with 11 million TV customers, announced at IFA that Das Erste and the third channels will be available exclusively in HD on its cable network from January 7, 2025. This is the same date on which ARD will also cease broadcasting the channels in SD quality via satellite.
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Cable customers who already use HD-capable receivers do not need to do anything. For customers who cannot receive HD programs, Vodafone will offer support and information on the switchover on a service page – in good time before the switchover.
HD is standard today
Most TV households in the cable network already have HD reception: according to Vodafone, significantly less than two percent of cable customers use a TV receiver that only supports SD quality. These are TV receivers from Kabel Deutschland or Unitymedia that are more than 12 years old. Households that do not have an HD-capable television (new televisions have been HD-capable since around 2010) should connect an HD receiver with a Scart connection to the television. HD-capable TV receivers that also work in conjunction with older televisions can be purchased from specialist retailers.
According to the "Astra TV Monitor", around 93% of the 36 million TV households in Germany will already be watching television in HD in 2023 – across all reception channels –. Today, there are likely to be even more TV households.
Capacities are being freed up
By switching off the SD distribution of Das Erste and the third channels, Vodafone is freeing up capacity in the cable network and, according to its own statements, has greater scope for future network design. Internet customers, for example, could benefit from more performance and higher data rates in the future.
(nij)
