HD+ to launch fee-based catch-up portal

[tokoroko]

HD+ to launch fee-based catch-up portal

Jörn Krieger | 12-09-2012

HD+, the DTH platform provided by Astra satellite operator SES for the HD versions of German commercial broadcasters, wants to offer its viewers the possibility to watch full-length programmes they missed on television through a new fee-based catch-up portal on their TV set.

The first content partner of HD+ Replay is TV group RTL which will make its catch-up services RTL Now, VOX Now and Super RTL Now available on the new platform by the end of the year.

Following a free-of-charge test period, a technical access fee will be charged for HD+ Replay the amount of which will be announced in time for the Christmas sales period. For access, viewers need hybrid reception devices compliant with interactive multimedia standard HbbTV and connected to the internet.

In addition to the fee-based catch-up services, HD+ will offer RTL's multimedia services RTL digitaltext, VOX digitaltext, n-tv digitaltext, kochbar and Clipfish on its HbbTV portal at no charge.

The catch-up portals provides by the RTL channels have so far only been available through the internet on computers, smartphones and tablet-PCs. Through HD+ Replay, they will get onto conventional TV screens for the first time. However, the offering will not be free-of-charge on the new platform as HD+ will charge a fee for the catch-up services customised for the TV set.

With HD+ Replay, the SES subsidiary will expand the business model of HD+ from linear television to on-demand services: In standard-definition, the commercial TV channels part of the HD+ line-up are available free-of-charge on Astra (19.2° East) while an access fee is charged for the HD versions. This will then also be the case for the TV-optimised versions of the catch-up portals which are available free-of-charge on the internet, but only for an additional fee on the TV set. It remains to be seen whether viewers will accept this.

RTL group wants to make its catch-up portals available on TV screens in collaboration with further platform providers, for example in conjunction with Germany's largest cable operator Kabel Deutschland

[tokoroko]

Kabel Deutschland to add RTL HD

Jörn Krieger | 27-06-2012

Germany's largest cable operator Kabel Deutschland is to take RTL's HD channels on board its cable network. The carriage is part of a comprehensive new distribution contract between the companies.

The agreement also ensures long-term analogue and digital distribution of RTL's channels in standard definition on Kabel Deutschland's network.

The HD versions of RTL, RTL II, VOX and Super RTL will launch on Kabel Deutschland in early September 2012. They will be included in the commercial channel HD package without any additional charge for subscribers.

On 3 July 2012, Kabel Deutschland will also add free-to-air channel RTL Nitro to its digital basic package with pay-TV channel RTL Living to follow in subscription package Premium Extra in winter 2012.

At the same time, both sides have agreed to expand Kabel Deutschland's video-on-demand (VOD) portal Select Video by adding RTL's catch-up services such as RTL Now or VOX Now. The services, which originally launched on the Internet, will thereby become available to cable customers on conventional TV screens.

With the carriage of its HD channels by Kabel Deutschland, RTL will close the last large gap in cable distribution. The channels are already available on Germany's other two large cable networks Unitymedia and Kabel BW.