Sky Germany to launch third HD sports channel

Germany: PLAZAMEDIA GmbH has been commissioned by Sky Germany with the broadcasting operations for its third HD channel, set to launch on August 6.

PLAZAMEDIA has been successfully producing Sky’s first Sport HD channel since 2005. In 2010 it added the production of Sky Sport HD 2 and of the pay-TV provider’s first 3D channel Sky 3D. And from August 2011 – with the start of the new Bundesliga season – PLAZAMEDIA will also take on the technical production of “Sky Sport HD Extra”.

For the production of the new 24/7 channel, PLAZAMEDIA will provide further, fully live-capable HD broadcasting with integrated Dolby Live Sound, from which all live graphics, such as team formations, tables, scores or lower thirds, can also be added via an HD graphics system.

Burkhard Weber, Head of Sports at Sky, says: “Sky Sport HD Extra will in future allow our customers – among other things – to follow a second Bundesliga match in HD on Saturday afternoons, or, as of now, to watch all UEFA Champions League matches involving German teams in HD. With this, Sky is once again underlining its leadership in the HD market, as well as its aim to always offer the best choice for its customers.”