More German local TV on Astra

Two new Bavarian free-to-air local TV channels will launch on Astra (19.2° East) at the end of April 2012. The two additions, Franken Fernsehen from Nuremberg and a.tv from Augsburg, were previously part-time services and now extend their offer to full time. The channels will use former analogue capacity on Astra as of 30 April 2012, when TV broadcasters in Germany will switch off their analogue satellite signals. "The launch of two new channels on Astra is additional proof that digitalisation leads to further demand for the former analogue capacity," said Wolfgang Elsäßer, managing director of Astra Germany. "It also shows that digitalisation is increasing the programme offer for viewers. Making unencrypted local content available throughout the whole country is a strength that only satellite can offer."