Eutelsat: 21.5m German TV homes receiving Hot Bird channels

Some 21.5 million of Germany’s 40.1 million TV homes now receive channels from Eutelsat’s Hot Bird satellite position, according to new research from the firm.

Revealing the results of its Eutelsat TV Observatory 2016 for the German market at Anga Com in Cologne, Eutelsat said that between spring 2014 and 2016 the number of homes in Germany equipped for DTH reception from the Hot Bird position increased from 2.4 million to 3.1 million.

“In addition to its growing DTH base, Hot Bird has a 95% penetration of German cable homes and 100% penetration of IP homes. In total, 21.5 million of Germany’s 40.1 million TV homes receive channels from the Hot Bird position,” said Eutelsat.

“The main drivers of its rising popularity are channel diversity, including English, Russian, Polish, Arabic, Turkish and Farsi TV channels, and an exceptional free-to-air offer of almost 400 channels.”

Eutelsat said that there is “rising interest in, and awareness of” Ultra HD by German TV viewers with more than 80% of TV homes now familiar with the technology, compared to 75% in 2014.

It also said that the Eutelsat 9B satellite at 9° East, Eutelsat’s second significant position for Germany, showed growth to 4.7 million DTH, cable and IP homes, reflecting an almost 20% jump in 24 months. Eutelsat 9B is used by M7 Deutschland other cable and IP network operators in Germany.