NTV-Plus Launches Russia’s First HDTV Service via Eutelsat Satellite
MOSCOW, April 30, 2007 - Satnews Daily - Russian commercial pay-TV operator NTV-Plus has launched Russia’s first HDTV services on the W4 satellite operated by Eutelsat Communications.
The premium HDTV offering is expected to consolidate the NTV-Plus platform that assembles over 100 Russian and international digital channels. The initial HDTV offering to be supplied by NTV-Plus will comprise three channels: HD Kino (cinema), HD Sport and HD Life.
The launch agreement between Eutelsat and Intersputnik, on behalf of NTV-Plus, sets aside four transponders on W4 for NTV Plus. The new capacity will support the launch of new HDTV services by NTV-Plus and add to its growing stable of standard digital channels and services.
Russian analysts, however, point out that NTV-Plus’ HDTV users need an LCD TV or a plasma display with a special plugs and a receiver worth $600 to access the service. The hefty price tag, said analysts, is a significant barrier to entry.
Russian HDTV supports 1920 x 1080 resolution with the interlace system of 25 frames per second. The Secam standard used for broadcasting in Russia (625lines/25 frames per second) with 720 x 576 resolution, which is five times lower than HDTV. Sound quality on HDTV, however, is high.
NTV-Plus said the most interesting programs will be launched first. These include HD Cinema, HD Sport, and HD Life. The HDTV package cost varies from $14 to $37 a month, with subscribers who choose the maximum number of channels paying the lowest subscription ($14). NTV-Plus hope to have 20,000 HDTV subscribers by year-end 2007.
