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Public broadcasters will switch to HD in 2025 – so stay tuned!
From 2025, ARD and ZDF will broadcast exclusively in HD. SD devices need to be upgraded. Information about the changes and receiver solutions.
Public broadcasters will switch to HD in 2025 – so stay tuned!
The future of television in Germany is facing a fundamental change. From November 18, 2025, the public broadcasters ZDF, ZDFneo, ZDFinfo, 3sat and KiKA will be broadcast exclusively in HD quality. This decision means the final end of SD broadcasting via satellite MDR reported. ZDF justifies this step with the sharp decline in the use of SD quality, which is no longer relevant.
On January 7, 2025, ARD stopped broadcasting Das Erste and all third-party television programs in SD. This means that all public broadcasters will only be available in HD, regardless of whether viewers watch via satellite, cable or streaming. The aim of this change is to reduce the costs of program distribution and thus meet the expectations of an economical use of broadcasting fees.
How users can react to the change
In order to receive HD programs, users who do not have HD-capable devices must use new television sets or additional devices. Loud Consumer advice center Many televisions that are not older than 10 to 12 years do not need a new receiver. Older devices with satellite or cable receivers may need to purchase a new HD receiver, which can cost between 30 and 50 euros.
A channel search could help many users to continue receiving the programs. Owners of tube televisions deserve special attention. You have the option of replacing your receiver as long as it has a Scart connection. The switch to HD not only pursues technical improvements, but also a concern for energy efficiency, as the purchase of a new television with an integrated receiver is recommended.
While the public broadcasters are taking a step into the future, the German private broadcasters will continue to be available in SD. This is shown by a survey by the German Press Agency, which illustrates the different developments in German television. The partner programs Arte and Phoenix, for example, ended SD broadcasting in November 2022.
The switch to HD is not only a technical advance, but also raises questions about future media use. Consumers should familiarize themselves with the matter in good time so that they can continue to enjoy the offerings from their favorite channels in the quality they are used to in the future.