Unitymedia to start analogue switch-off in Germany in 2016

Germany’s second-largest cable operator Unitymedia will terminate analogue cable television in the first city in the second half of 2016.

“Through the trial, we want to gain important insights with regard to the full digitalisation of the cable network,” Christian Hindennach, senior vice president consumer at Unitymedia, said in Cologne. The town for the first analogue switch-off still has to be determined.

As the first German cable operator, Unitymedia announced to gradually terminate analogue TV distribution in May 2015. The Liberty Global subsidiary commenced reducing the analogue TV lineup in July 2015 to make room for new digital channels, HD services and faster internet access.

Unitymedia which serves German federal states North-Rhine Westphalia, Hessen and Baden-Württemberg wants to continue this practice in 2016 – in collaboration with the media authorities, TV broadcasters, the commercial broadcasters’ industry association VPRT and the housing industry.

Through a large-scale communication campaign, Unitymedia wants to inform its customers and market partners about the extended digital offering, the continued reduction of analogue channels and the further digitalisation steps.

The share of digital TV households among Unitymedia customers currently amounts to 82%, according to the company.

Swiss sister company UPC Cablecom completed analogue switch-off in July 2015. In Austria, UPC Austria – like Unitymedia – currently cuts down the analogue TV offering while expanding its digital TV and HD lineup.