AH to launch third DVB-T multiplex with 13 new channels

Antenna Hungaria will launch its third DVB-T multiplex with 13 new channels as of 1 October. Thanks to the launch of the new multiplex, 31 television channels will be available on the DVB-T platform. The new MinDig TV Extra family package will contain additional 13 blue-chip channels besides the present 7 free-to-air and 10 basic package programmes, namely Viasat 3, Comedy Central, Universal Channel, Spektrum, History, Sport 1, Sport 2, Minimax, Cartoon Network, PRO4, Prizma TV, Muzsika TV and Dorcel TV. As of 1 October, this 30 channel-offer will be available for a monthly promo price of HUF 1,990. Altogether with HBO, 31 television channels can be received on the DVB-T platform, representing more than 80 percent cumulated audience share. The digital terrestrial television platform grew most dynamically in Hungary during 2011 and MinDig TV Extra achieved the highest growth rate among the wireless digital television services. According to sales figures, there was a sharp increase in the DVB-T equipment penetration, as there were around 730,000 households with a DVB-T MPEG-4 compatible receiver. The number of MinDig TV digital terrestrial television service users increased by over 75,000 in the first seven months of 2011, thus the service offering 7 free-to-air digital television and 4 radio channels – which can be received with a proper rooftop or indoor antenna – was used by almost 250,000 households. The subscription-based MinDig TV Extra service offering 11 additional channels to the existing 7 free-to-air channels has reached 37,000 subscribers until mid-September and is expected to exceed 50,000 by the end of the year. The average prices of the MinDig TV compatible set-top-boxes and integrated TV's have decreased by more than 20 percent in the first seven months of 2011, and are expected to fall to HUF 10,000 (set-top boxes) and HUF 100,000 (IDTVs) by the end of the year. AH uses the monthly sales statistics of GfK Hungaria for the compilation of its monthly research.