Canal Digital provides access to Swedish terrestrial network

As of 16 August this year, and with the help of a new decoder, the ComboBox, Swedish viewers were given access to all the TV channels distributed via satellite from Canal Digital, as well as all the channels distributed through the Swedish digital terrestrial network. The new ComboBox has two receivers, one for broadcasts distributed via satellite, and one for broadcasts distributed through the digital terrestrial network. Canal Digital's customers in Sweden were thus given access to such channels as MTG's TV3, ZTV and TV8.

From the outset, Canal Digital's new ComboBox has been prepared to provide access to encrypted broadcasts. On Wednesday 1 September, MTG decided to encrypt all their channels. All that is required for Canal Digital's customers to retain their access to MTG's free-of-charge channels is a cardholder (CA module), and a programme card from the Swedish terrestrial network distributor Boxer. All ComboBox customers will receive such a cardholder from Canal digital, without any charge.

"We are pleased to be able to offer our customers the best TV content. We want to give our customers freedom of choice and simple TV services. In partnership with the serious TV channels and distributors we have now developed a Nordic standard for transmission and reception of TV content (Nordig). Canal Digital's ComboBox was of course developed with an open standard, which ensures access to all the channels in the digital terrestrial network," said CEO of Canal Digital AS, Christian Albech.

Boxer, which is jointly owned by Sweden's largest radio and TV operator, Teracom, and the insurance company Skandia, is the distributor of programme packages in the Swedish terrestrial network. In order to access TV3, TV8 and ZTV, viewers now have to purchase a programme card from Boxer at a cost of SEK 395.

Canal Digital's ComboBox, launched on 16 August this year in Finland and Sweden, is the first of its kind. The sales campaign is already a success, and will be continued throughout the autumn. When the ComboBox was introduced, the Swedish Public Service Television Company (SVT1, SVT2, Barnkanalen and 24), TV4, TV8, TV3 and ZTV were broadcast without encryption and free of charge through the Swedish digital terrestrial network. As from Wednesday 1 September, 22:00 CET, the media corporation Modern Times Group (MTG) chose to encrypt its TV channels, TV3, ZTV and TV8, on the digital terrestrial network in Sweden. The SVT channels and TV4 are still broadcast without any form of encryption and without any charges.

Contacts:

Ingrid Schiefloe, Head of Information at Canal Digital AS, Tel: +47 951 56 977