Six TV channels of the StarLightMedia group (STB, ICTV, Novy Kanal, OCE, M1 and M2) started satellite broadcasting in HD quality on January 13. This was reported by «Telekritika» citing the press service of StarLightMedia. HD versions of the channels are currently available in test mode. Full HD broadcasting will begin on January 20. «On January 13, test HD broadcasting was launched on the AMOS 7 satellite. The date of the full transition to the best format is set for January 20, 2020. The group's channels in HD will be available to OTT providers, DTH and in cable operator networks that have the technical capability to do so», — the group quotes Mykola Fayngold, Commercial Director of the Digital&PayTV division of StarLightMedia. HD versions of the group's channels will be available exclusively from paid television providers. In SD version, the group's channels will be broadcast only by analog cable television providers and the DVB-T2 terrestrial digital network. «The transition to HD is another joint step towards the development of the paid television market, which we discussed with providers. This is not only a transition to a new format, but also an opportunity for market representatives to create a difference between paid and free, for subscribers to get a higher quality picture, enjoy the content», — adds Mykola Fayngold. The group reminds that to switch to HD, paid television providers need to rebuild their equipment and switch to new frequencies. The StarLightMedia team has provided CAM modules to all partners for this purpose. The group has outlined a step-by-step instruction for providers on how to obtain HD versions of the channels:
  • at the beginning, the holding activates CAM modules to work with new parameters;
  • the group's manager will send new parameters to the email and call to make sure the letter is received;
  • providers will have 48 hours to change the signal reception parameters from AMOS 3 to AMOS 7, after which CAM will stop working with AMOS 3;
  • in order to simplify the transition as much as possible, along with the parameters, providers will be provided with the contacts of the group's technical specialists.
It is worth noting that all six StarLightMedia TV channels started broadcasting in full HD (1080p).