MUMBAI: European DTH system SES Astra has announced that the German entertainment channel RTL2 will launch in high-definition (HD) quality on HD+ starting early December.

HD+ is SES Astra‘s technical platform for the transmission and reception of TV programmes in HD quality via satellite for the German market.
  
RTL2 HD is the seventh private free-TV-channel to launch on HD+. Other channels broadcasting via HD+ include RTL HD, Sat. 1 HD, ProSieben HD, VOX HD and kabel eins HD and most recently Sport1 HD, which starts 1 November 2010.

SES Astra adds that since its market launch on 1 November 2009, HD+ has been growing at an exceptional rate. Over 1.2 million smart cards have been delivered to manufacturers and more than 300,000 HD+ set-top boxes have been sold. To date, over 30 different kinds of set-top box are available for the reception of HD+, and additional models will be in the market soon.
 
HD Plus MD Wilfried Urner says, "The launch of RTL2 HD will further extend the programme choice of HD+ and make it even more attractive. The receiver sales demonstrate the popularity of the unique offer and prove that we have developed a successful platform for broadcasters who want to launch high-definition channels in Germany".