Czech TV Channel A11 Cuts Satellite Service, Shifting to Terrestrial and Online
In a significant shift for viewers across Europe, Czech television channel A11 is ending it’s satellite broadcasts via the Astra satellite, effective January 2, 2025. This means that millions who previously enjoyed free access to the channel will need to find alternative viewing options.
The proclamation, made via social media, was stark: “2.1.2025 the A11 program ends broadcasting on the ASTRA satellite, please tune in to terrestrial broadcasting, IPTV or your cable operator,” stated an A11 representative. This abrupt change leaves many viewers scrambling to adjust their viewing habits.
Previously,A11’s signal,broadcast from the Astra satellite at 23.5°E, was freely available (FTA) across a large swathe of Europe. No subscription or special equipment was required. The channel’s distribution was handled by M7 Group, a Luxembourg-based company and part of CANAL+, also the operator of the Skylink Czech-Slovak satellite platform.
The move marks a significant change in how viewers access A11.With the cessation of Astra broadcasts, satellite viewers will no longer be able to receive the channel. A11 will now be exclusively available through terrestrial transmitters on the nationwide Broadcasting Network 23 (DVB-T2 multiplex 23), as well as select IPTV and OTT providers. This transition mirrors similar shifts in the U.S. television landscape, where streaming services are increasingly replacing conventional cable and satellite providers.
For those technically inclined, here are the technical parameters of the now-defunct satellite broadcast: Satellite: Astra (23.5°E); Frequency: 12.090 GHz; Polarization: Vertical; SR: 29900; FEC: 3/4; Norma: DVB-S2; Modulation: 8PSK.
A11 isn’t alone in this shift. The move coincides with the end of satellite broadcasting for another Czech channel, the Christian TV show Noe, also ceasing transmission on Astra on New Year’s Eve. This trend highlights the evolving media landscape and the increasing reliance on digital distribution methods.
The change presents challenges for viewers accustomed to receiving A11 via satellite, but it also reflects a broader trend towards digital distribution and the increasing availability of online streaming services. Viewers will need to adapt to new methods of accessing their favorite programming, much like the transition many U.S. viewers have experienced in recent years.