It will start in September and will use three transponders that were used by the Telefónica platform.
Attention, because from this same year, Movistar Plus+ has a direct competitor in satellite television. This is Astra HD+, the new service registered by SES Satélite Ibérica, a subsidiary in Spain of SES. Scheduled to begin broadcasting in September of this year, this service could offer an attractive alternative for users.
In recent months, Movistar Plus+ has experienced significant changes in its satellite offering, eliminating several high-definition channels. All this has caused considerable annoyance among its customers. The new service, called Astra HD+, is already officially registered in the state public register of audiovisual communication service providers. The start date for broadcasting is set for September 15, 2024.
Astra HD+ will offer linear channels in Spanish in high definition, using the former frequencies of Movistar Plus+ from the orbital position of 19.2° East of the Astra satellites. This service will be linear, with a 24-hour broadcast schedule and generalist content, including DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) channels and other thematic ones.
It is expected that this new service will be available to all users with satellite dishes starting in September. However, it is noted that there will be only three transponders available, which will limit the number of DTT HD channels that can be included.
Possible collaboration between the two parties
Although Astra HD+ is an initiative of the Spanish subsidiary of SES, independent of its HD+ version in Germany, it could be more of a complement than a direct competition for Movistar’s satellite. Movistar remains an important customer for SES Astra in terms of frequency rental, suggesting possible collaboration between the two parties to exploit the satellite television market in Spain.
Although there are still uncertainties and assumptions about this new service, its registration in the system indicates a real interest in the market. More details are expected to be revealed in the coming months before the official launch in September.
