Terrestrial-network offering harmonised – HD channels to PlusTV customers

PlusTV entered the ownership of DNA in September when the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority approved the acquisition. DNA is now delivering the goods and providing both PlusTV and DNA terrestrial network customers with a better and more extensive service offering as quickly as possible.

"Until now, terrestrial-network households have not been able to watch PlusTV and DNA pay TV channels using the same receiver. We are happy to be able to open an unprecedented channel selection to terrestrial-network homes. This is particularly good news to PlusTV customers, who have been waiting a long time for high-definition offering. And DNA's terrestrial network subscribers will have a number of new channels, too," says Mikko Saarentaus, Director of Television Business at DNA.

This update allows PlusTV customers to use all Antenna Ready HD approved high-definition devices with their existing cards. There is an extensive selection of such set-top boxes, and the majority of televisions on the market are Antenna Ready HD compliant.

HD and the offering of two networks

The contents of PlusTV's and DNA Welho's most popular channel packages are being harmonised and expanded considerably on 26 November, since the renewed packages will include channels received via both DNA's VHF network and the UHF network of Digita.

PlusTV viewers will have new channels - including HD - in their MTV Total, MTV Total Sport and C More Film packages - these channels are received from DNA's VHF network. The completely new PlusTV Mix HD package enables subscribers to pick eight channels from a total of twenty. The new channels are, depending on the package: Animal Planet, C More First HD, C More Hits, Disney XD, MTV Fakta XL, MTV Max HD, MTV Sport 1 HD, National Geographic, Showtime and Silver. The more detailed contents of the renewed channel packages are available at plustv.fi.

PlusTV viewers can now also receive the free domestic Yle HD and MTV3 HD high-definition channels via DNA's terrestrial network. Watching Yle HD does not require a TV card, and the MTV3 HD channel can be viewed with an active PlusTV card with a channel package subscription. The MTV3 HD channel will be added automatically to the cards of PlusTV customers. All existing PlusTV cards will be able to receive channels simultaneously from both networks.

DNA Welho terrestrial network customers will be able to subscribe to MTV Total, MTV Total Sport and C More Film packages, previously sold only by PlusTV to antenna households. DNA's terrestrial-network customers can also pick a number of channels from MTV Media to their DNA Welho Mix HD package. The more detailed contents of the channel packages are available at dna.fi.

“It is worthwhile to update the receivers of terrestrial-network households now, as we are entering a fantastic sports year. All of the major events – such as the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Formula 1 season, Ice Hockey World Championships and FIFA World Cup – will be broadcast in high definition. Both pay TV channels and the free HD channels of Yle will feature high-definition offering,” says Saarentaus.

Updating terrestrial-network households to the high-definition era is effortless. DNA Kauppa shops and DNA retailers carry the required high-definition devices, and DNA's terrestrial-network installation partners will assist with installation if required.

DNA's VHF network was completed last year and already covers approximately 85 per cent of Finnish homes. All channels in the updated packages, high-definition offering included, can be viewed in the network's coverage area, as long as the building is equipped with a VHF antenna tuned to DNA's terrestrial-network transmitter and the household receiver is equipped with a T2 tuner. These receivers can be identified by the Antenna Ready HD marking. High-definition channels are available if the card is linked to an HD device.

According to EPSI Rating 2013 survey *), DNA Welho has, as in previous years, the best customer satisfaction among pay TV service providers in Finland.

Info (in Finnish):
- Check whether your home is HD ready  
- Information on receiver sets approved for HDTV viewing: www.testatutlaitteet.fi
- DNA's terrestrial-network coverage map  
- Terrestrial-network channels  
- HDTV guide  
- Satellite and Terrestrial Network Association SANT (e.g. terrestrial-network guide for detached houses and contact details to terrestrial-network installers, in Finnish) 

*)The annual EPSI Rating study analyses customer satisfaction and loyalty in the different sectors of telecommunications. www.epsi-finland.org

For further information, please contact:
Mikko Saarentaus, Director, Television Business, DNA Ltd, tel. +358 (0)44 549 0374, mikko.saarentaus@dna.fi
Riitta Luhtala, Communications Manager, DNA Ltd, tel. +358 44 044 1040, riitta.luhtala@dna.fi

DNA Ltd is a Finnish telecommunications company providing high-quality, state-of-the-art voice, data, and TV services to private customers and corporations. DNA’s 3G network reaches five million Finns and is constantly expanding, and the 4G networks are reaching new cities and urban areas all the time. In 2012, DNA recorded a turnover of EUR 769 million and an operating profit of EUR 56 million. DNA Ltd has more than 3 million mobile communications and fixed network customers. DNA and WELHO are registered trademarks of DNA Ltd. The Group includes also DNA Kauppa, the largest operator retail chain in Finland. For more information, please visit www.dna.fi.