Deutsche Netz Marketing GmbH (DNMG) and pay-TV provider Premiere have signed a new carriage agreement. DNMG members and shareholders can carry Premiere HD, the subscription broadcaster’s HDTV service, before the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The agreement between Premiere and DNMG covers carriage of all existing and future Premiere channels, runs until the end of 2014, and has a contract value of more than €40 million. “This brings us a decisive step closer to our goal of offering our HD content nationwide not only by satellite but also by cable, preferably before the World Cup,” said Markus Schmid, Executive Board member for Marketing and Sales at Premiere AG. “The agreement with DNMG opens up a considerable market to us in a single step.”
With 140 affiliated companies, DNMG describes itself as the largest marketing organization for cable television network operators in the German-speaking market. Its shareholders include large network operators such as Tele Columbus, as well as city carriers and operators of smaller headends, collectively supplying more than three million households through their own headends. More than a dozen broadcasters use DNMG’s services.
“This framework agreement gives development in the cable television network a strong boost,” said Ingo Schuchert, DNMG’s lead negotiator. “With Premiere HD, cable network operators can offer their customers the latest generation of television and first-class content. Brilliant pictures and the best sound will therefore provide real added value for cable customers.”
Reception of Premiere’s HDTV service requires a suitable digital receiver and flat-panel displays or projectors carrying the “HD ready” quality mark. Cable receivers suitable for Premiere HD are expected to become available in the second quarter of 2006.
