Kardio-TV, the German medical channel planned by Munich-based Doc-Media AG in co-operation with Beta Business TV, a subsidiary of Kirch Group, intends to reach 3,000 doctors when it launches via satellite in October. According to figures given at a press conference in Munich, the broadcaster aims to double its reach to 6,000 doctors by January 2001.

To receive the digital thematic channel, besides the TV set a set-top-box and a satellite dish are needed. Both devices, including installation, are provided for free by Kirch. As the service aims to finance itself by advertising and sponsoring, there will not be any costs involved for doctors. However, the satellite DTH feed will be scrambled to ensure exclusive availability to the closed user group.

Kardio-TV, which is not affiliated with ProMed TV, Germany’s other planned medical channel, will show general and medical news, discussions on various topics and magazines focusing on doctors’ interests. There’ll also be extensive reports about conferences shown live or on-demand. The doctors can access the magazine programmes that are renewed daily at 18.00CET at any time they prefer on an on-demand basis.

• Another medical channel is also to enter German doctors’ living rooms – Bavarian media authority Bayerische Landeszentrale fur neue Medien (BLM) has granted approval to Munich-based ProMed TV Media Services to launch ProMed TV. The service will be transmitted in encrypted MPEG-2/DVB via satellite, although a launch date has not been announced yet. According to ProMed TV, content will focus on news and background information on medical topics.