HDTV becomes part of everyday television
Now that traditional analogue television has gone digital, we are facing the next step into the future of television: High-Definition Television (HDTV) offers extremely sharp picture quality on large flat-screen televisions, along with surround sound. 19 million HDTV-devises are ready and waiting in German households - particularly HDready-flat-screen sets. At the end of 2010 there should be 27 million HDTV sets in Germany, among them 14 million HDTV receivers, judged the Gesellschaft für Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik (gfu). Satellite TV is the frontrunner in terms of television channels. Astra and Eutelsat in particular are offering increasing numbers of HDTV programmes. Until May 2009 there were only four broadcasters operating in the HDTV market in Germany: Premiere HD and Discovery HD as private pay channels, Anixe HD as a free-to-air programme and the public culture channel arte HD.
Until the end of 2009 numerous new HDTV programmes were launched. MTVNHD has been available since 3rd of June 2009 as part of the IPTV package Entertain offered by Deutsche Telekom, which also offers "Liga total!" in HDTV. The RTL Group and the satellite operator Astra broadcast since November 1st RTL and Vox programmes also in HD as part of the new HD+ platform. Along with the package by pay broadcaster Sky (formerly Premiere) offering 7 HD programmes from July 2009, this brings the total of HDTV broadcasters in Germany up to 12. 
Established channels Das Erste and ZDF will begin the regular broadcast of their national television schedule in HDTV in time for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver on 12th of February 2010. As agreed by the public broadcasting corporations in their “HDTV Roadmap” there were further test broadcasts from the Das Erste, ZDF and Eins Festival channels in 2009 following three showcase in 2008: These began with the Light Athletics World Championships in Berlin in mid-August 2009 and by christmas the latest showcasel took place. Among the larger private broadcasters, HD programmes were early broadcasted by the channels ProSieben and Sat.1 between October 2005 and February 2008. From 31st of January 2010 these two programmes and Kabel eins are be broadcast also as part of the new HD+ satellite platform. Experts anticipate that, following the launch of regular HDTV broadcasting by ARD and ZDF, further private free TV operators in Germany will gradually begin in 2010 to offer their programmes in HDTV.
It is therefore increasingly important for viewers to be informed on the topic of high-definition television and to consider HDTV when purchasing new consumer electronics with a focus on the future. It is not enough simply to purchase HD-ready flat screens - satellites and cable receiver, as well as playing and recording devices, must be able to show HD. The “HDTV Purchase Guide”, a new edition of which has been published for IFA 2009 by the Gesellschaft für Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik (gfu), the Bundesverband Technik des Einzelhandels (BVT) and two professional associations from the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI) in cooperation with the German TV Platform and other partners provides useful tips. It is also available to read and download at www.gfu.de.
In addition, the German TV Platform has put together a guide to the technical details of HDTV for traders and consumers. Experts from our working group “3D-HD-TV" have provided straightforward answers to FAQ about HDTV. You can read and download “A Guide to HDTV” in the relevant section. Additional information is available elsewhere on this website, particularly under the heading Digital Television. If you have other questions you can also contact us.
