Bluewin TV: first channels in HD quality and new TV offering for first-time users

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
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BERNE — From 25 February 2008, Swisscom will add four channels in high-definition quality (HDTV) to its Bluewin TV channel line-up – including the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation channel HD suisse. In addition, the offering for first-time users, Bluewin TV basic, is now available without a hard-disk recorder: for CHF 19 a month customers can enjoy digital television with over 120 TV channels and more than 80 radio stations.

High-definition TV intensifies thrilling TV moments thanks to more picture information. From the end of February, Bluewin TV customers will be able to enjoy this more true-to-detail TV experience at no extra cost – with the following channels: BBC HD (English), Anixe HD (German) and Arte HD (French), as well as HD suisse. The new Swiss Broadcasting Corporation channel HD suisse has four audio channels in Dolby Digital Surround Sound and broadcasts programmes in the respective national language or original language in up to four language versions. HD suisse’s first highlight is the broadcasting of UEFA EURO 2008TM this year in HD quality.

With the Bluewin TV box, customers are already equipped to receive HD channels. To be able to take advantage of the HD offering, users require an HD-ready TV set. Furthermore, the connection must have a sufficiently high bandwidth. Customers can check this in the Checker at www.swisscom.ch/checker. Existing Bluewin TV customers will be informed as to whether they can receive HD TV from their location. If the requirements are met, the new HD channels will be automatically activated.

Overview of Bluewin TV plus and Bluewin TV basic

  Bluewin TV plus Bluewin TV basic
Cost/month CHF 29
(Plus copyright fees of CHF 2.25 CHF per month)		 CHF 19
(Plus copyright fees of CHF 2.25 CHF per month)
Over 120 TV channels,
over 80 radio stations		 Yes
HD channels Yes No
Recording, remote programming over the Web and mobile phone, live pause Yes No
Video-on-Demand Yes, from CHF 3.50 per film Yes, from CHF 3.50 per film
Live events Yes, from CHF 1/live event
Subscription to add-on packages such as Teleclub and Canal+ Yes
Additional TV box for second TV set Yes No

Bluewin TV basic: new basic TV package for CHF 19 a month

The new offering for first-time users, Bluewin TV basic for CHF 19 a month, includes over 120 TV channels, more than 500 video-on-demand titles, live events and an electronic programme guide.

The extended version Bluewin TV plus (which is the same as before) offers customers a TV box with a hard disk for CHF 29 a month. In addition to the features offered with Bluewin TV basic, customers also benefit from all the options offered by digital television such as series programming, recording and live pause functions. In addition, HD content can be received and a second Bluewin TV box can be connected to a second TV set.