German public broadcaster ZDF announced that it will discontinue the SD satellite transmission of its channels ZDF, ZDFinfo, ZDFneo, 3sat and KiKA via Astra (19.2° East) on 18 November 2025. After that date, the channels will only be available in HD resolution on Astra.
ZDF has been broadcasting its channels in both SD and HD for approximately 15 years. However, the broadcaster stated that almost all households in Germany now have access to HD television, and SD reception is hardly used anymore. By discontinuing SD broadcasting, ZDF aims to reduce distribution costs and fulfill its commitment to using the TV licence fee economically.
ZDF's decision comes after fellow public broadcaster ARD announced that it would cease its SD transmissions on 7 January 2025. Other public broadcasters, including ARTE, Phoenix, tagesschau24 and One, have already ended their SD distribution on Astra, beginning the process on 15 November 2022.