German digital pay-TV platform operator Premiere World is considering a return to retail sales in addition to the currently favoured rental model. According to industry sources, it is planned to heavily subsidise the decoder price in an aim to boost subscription uptake ahead of the extensive coverage of the German first division football league Bundesliga that starts in August.

Premiere’s spokesman Hartmut Schultz confirmed that there are “new distribution models are being considered in relation to the beginning of the Bundesliga coverage”, however he declined to reveal more. “It is too early to make concrete statements about details,” he said, adding that “in-depth information about the future sports offering and new distribution and marketing strategies” will be given at a press conference in Hamburg on July 11.

Currently, only Deutsche Telekom’s cable customers can buy the d-box. The subsidised price of DM549 is made through Telekom subsidiary MediaVision providing the subscriber commits to a 12 month subscription to either Premiere World or a MediaVision cable programme package.