Philips and Canalsat join forces to accelerate European HDTV adoption

Amsterdam, The Netherlands — Maintaining its leading position in driving availability of HDTV services across Europe, Philips today announced it has been selected by Canalsat to supply high definition (DualS) set-top boxes to the French digital satellite operator. Canalsat will deploy Philips high-definition set-top boxes to capture the growing subscriber demand for highest possible picture quality and deliver customers with premium HD programming and advanced personalized services.

From October, Canalsat subscribers will be given leading-edge Philips dual HD digital satellite receivers, allowing them to access a range of superior picture quality entertainment, including sport and movies, as well as new interactive services for accessing on-demand content. In addition, the Philips set top boxes incorporate advanced features such as the ability to record current and future programming thanks to an external hard drive, delivering subscribers with more control over their viewing schedule.

In the agreement, which extends Philips existing relationship with the Canal+ Group, the Dual HD receivers will be made available in a Terrestrial configuration to Canal+ terrestrial subscribers from early 2008. Building on its extensive experience in analogue and digital TV, Philips is working to support operators address the growing need for superior picture quality and to meet government digital switchover targets. Philips currently provides a full range of HD set-top boxes to cable, telecom and satellite operators all across Europe, over 95% of Philips FlatTV range is HD ready.

“Canalsat is committed to constantly improving their premium entertainment services, and are now delighted to offer subscribers the best-possible viewing experience through high definition digital content as standard,” said Joseph Guegan, CTO Canal+ group. “Philips brings to the partnership a wealth of experience and credibility in high definition technology that will ensure that subscribers are supported by an advanced platform that allows them to both fully enjoy the high definition entertainment experience and also give them more control over their own programming.”

“Philips aims to deliver the highest quality, reliable and technologically compatible set-top-boxes and we are delighted to extend and reinforce our partnership with one of Europe’s largest digital satellite operators,” said Herve Mathieu, General Manager, Europe and Asia, Philips Consumer Electronics. “The use of Philips set-top-boxes will allow Canalsat customers to not only receive entertainment with the highest picture quality, and enhanced viewing experience but also provide the flexibility to record and watch programs at their leisure.”

Philips (DualS) high definition set-top-box incorporates USB and Ethernet connectivity, for future Canalsat services such as VOD and Home Networking.