[Satellite TODAY 06-16-11] German news channel N24 will be available exclusively on HD Plus and via SES Astra satellite service starting July 1, following an agreement signed between the three companies, N24 announced June 15.

            The deal will make N24 the first German news channel to broadcast in high definition via satellite. HD Plus is a technical platform from SES Astra for encrypted broadcasting and reception of commercial free TV programs in HD quality.

“HD Plus offers an attractive solution for broadcasters to deliver their programs in high definition and adds significant value for the TV viewers who want to make use of their large flat screens and watch high quality TV content … With the addition of N24, 16 of the most popular channels in Germany are now broadcasting their programs in HD quality via satellite,” HD Plus CEO Wilfried Urner said in a statement.