MinDig TV and MinDig TV Extra coverage to be extended - effective radiated power on channel 62 in Budapest to be doubled

On March 9, 2012 two further transmitting stations - Aggtelek and Fony - of Antenna Hungária start broadcasting MinDig TV Extra Family package. Another good news is that power increase can take place at certain transmission stations in the next days; effective radiated power on channel 62 in Budapest is to be doubled. In 2011 the digital terrestrial television platform showed the most dynamic growth in Hungary, with over 300,000 households now watching the free-to-air MinDig TV. MinDig TV Extra, the pay-tv component achieved the highest growth among the wireless digital television service providers last year: number of subscribers increased by 34,000 and is about to reach 60,000.

Digital terrestrial television – the most dynamically growing TV service

In 2011 the digital terrestrial television platform showed the highest growth in Hungary. Number of households watching the free-to-air MinDig TV reached 300,000. MinDig TV offers seven digital TV channels and four digital radio channels without a subscription fee, the signals can received via a rooftop or an indoor antenna. MinDig TV Extra, the pay-tv component offers, apart from the 7 free-to-air channels, 24 additional channels. Number of subscribers to MinDig TV Extra increased by 34,000 last year and is about to reach 60,000.

Average retail price of MinDig TV set-top boxes dropped by 30% and prices of DVB-T enabled integrated TV-sets decreased by 17% in 2011. Another boost to the popularity of MinDig TV is that 96% of new HD-ready or full-HD television sets (plasma, LCD, LED) now come with a DVB-T MPEG-4 tuner and thus no stand-alone decoder has to be purchased for watching free HD-quality television programs.

Network expansion, power increase

On March 9, 2012 Antenna Hungária Zrt. starts broadcast of MinDig TV Extra Family package (Multiplex B) from two additional sites (Aggtelek and Fony); the programs will be available on channel 31. With those two transmitting sites in operation, the full range of DVB-T services will be available in the northernmost parts of Hungary. The number of sites broadcasting the Family Package is now up to 38, with coverage of network B up to 85.4% of the population.

By March 9, 2012 power increases will take place at the following transmission stations:

- Budapest Széchenyi-hegy: significant increase - from 50.1 kW to 100 kW – on Multiplex C (channel 62);
- Karancs: smaller power increase on Multiplex A and B (38 and 55 channels);

By mid-March, 2012 further power increases will take place:

- Eger, Barcs: smaller power increase for all three multiplexes.

Further plans

Probably the most important move of the year is that major sport events (including Formula-1 Grand Prix, Football European Championship and Summer Olympic Games) broadcasted on public service channels are going to be available in HD-quality, without paying a subscription fee on MinDig TV. Also, Antenna Hungária plans further network expansion, with special emphasis on improving reception in urban areas and extended coverage of Multiplex B, which broadcasts MinDig TV Extra Family package.

Antenna Hungária

Press contacts:
Antenna Hungária
András Tóth, Head of Communication

Tel: +36 1 464-2110
E-mail: totha [kukac] ahrt [pont] hu


About MinDig TV (www.mindigtv.hu)
About MinDig TV Extra (www.mindigtvextra.hu)