Luxembourg-based satellite TV provider M7 said it will launch a digital pay-TV service for the Austrian market by mid-October.
Called AustriaSat, the satellite platform is expected to offer 14 channels from several broadcasters, including RTL and MTV,…
Luxembourg-based satellite TV provider M7 said it will launch a digital pay-TV service for the Austrian market by mid-October.
Called AustriaSat, the satellite platform is expected to offer 14 channels from several broadcasters, including RTL and MTV, via Astra (19.2 E).
Olaf Castritius, executive vice-president for Austria at M7 told TelecomFinance that the aim for AustriaSat was to become “the leading HD provider in Austria”, adding that the company was “looking to reach 100,000 subscribers by 2013”.
Austrian DHT households with a smartcard for the reception of national public service broadcaster ORF – which according to Castritius represent 95% of Austrian households – will be able to access the channels once they subscribe for it.
In Austria, Sky Deutschland is already present offering TV packages. But according to Castritius, Sky will not be a direct competitor “as they focus on premium TV, whereas we’re looking to broadcast affordable bundles of already existing channels” in HD quality.
Sky Deutschland is facing increasing competition at home. Recently, its CEO, Brian Sullivan, told a local newspaper that the company was looking to collaborate with local cable leaders Kabel Deutschland (KDG) and Unitymedia. One of the goals is to compete with incumbent rival Deutsche Telekom, which has been offering Bundesliga matches via the internet since last year.
Besides Austria, M7 is already present in other European countries, the Netherlands (CanalDigitaal), Belgium (TV Vlaanderen) and Luxembourg (TeleSat). The company is also working Belgian mobile operator Mobistar, which uses the TV Vlaanderen and TeleSat DTH platforms. Castritius said the company was looking to expand further without mentioning specific deals or timeframes.