Platform HD

Platform HD, also known as Platforma HD, was a Russian pay-television service focused on high-definition satellite broadcasting. The service transmitted a dedicated package of HD channels across the European part of Russia and also made its channel package available for retransmission by cable operators. Its satellite distribution used the Eurobird 9A spacecraft at the 9° east orbital position, while subscribers could receive the service either directly through satellite equipment or through participating cable networks. The operator combined a primary HD package with a broader Platform DV package. The HD offering included entertainment, sports, documentary, lifestyle, music, travel, children’s and film channels, including 3DV, Sport 1, Eurosport HD, HD Life, HD Sport, High Life, MTVNHD, National Geographic HD, Women’s World, Nat Geo Wild, Kinopokaz HD-1, Kinopokaz HD-2 and Teleputeshestviya HD. Platform DV added a larger selection of terrestrial and thematic channels, such as Bibigon, Kultura, Muz-TV, NTV, Channel 5 of St. Petersburg, REN TV, Russia 1, Russia 2, Russia 24, TNT, STS, RBC TV, 365 Days TV, Zoo TV, Auto Plus, Kinopokaz, Comedy TV, Kitchen TV, Teleputeshestvia, Tonus TV, Hunter & Fisherman and 24 Techno. Subscribers could also receive unencrypted television and radio channels separately from the operator’s subscription packages. Platform HD was positioned around the early expansion of high-definition television in Russia. The service recommended General Satellite receiving equipment, including the HD-9300 satellite receiver and HD-9320 and HD-9322 cable receivers. Its technical platform used DVB-S2 transmission with 8PSK modulation, reflecting the infrastructure required for higher-capacity digital television distribution. In February 2010, Platform HD, General Satellite and Samsung Electronics announced work on what they described as Russia’s first 3D television project at the CSTB professional exhibition. The initiative was still at a preparatory stage rather than a fully launched consumer service. The project illustrated the brand’s emphasis on emerging television formats and high-end viewing technology, although the available reference material does not document a completed commercial 3D channel launch. Platform HD ceased operating on July 1, 2012. The service was shut down without a publicly stated reason in the available reference material and has not been available since. No reliable information is provided here about the operator’s corporate ownership, management, financial performance, subscriber base or successor service.

Platform HD, or Platforma HD, operated as a Russian satellite television service serving the European territory of Russia. Its core proposition was the distribution of a package of high-definition channels over satellite, with the same programming also available for retransmission through cable networks. This dual distribution model allowed the service to target both households equipped for direct satellite reception and subscribers reached through cable operators. The service used the Eurobird 9A satellite at the 9° east orbital position. Its technical transmission parameters were based on DVB-S2 and 8PSK, a combination suited to the delivery of relatively high-capacity digital television services. Platform HD listed General Satellite equipment for reception, including the HD-9300 satellite receiver for satellite viewing and the HD-9320 and HD-9322 receivers for cable applications. The reference material does not identify the company’s founders, corporate headquarters, ownership structure or financial results. Platform HD’s programming strategy combined a specialized HD package with the broader Platform DV package. The main HD package carried channels spanning sport, films, documentaries, nature, travel, lifestyle, music and entertainment. Examples included Eurosport HD, National Geographic HD, Nat Geo Wild, HD Life, Sport 1 and the Kinopokaz HD film channels. Platform DV expanded the offer with Russian terrestrial channels and thematic services covering subjects such as technology, cooking, travel, comedy, automobiles and hunting and fishing. Unencrypted television and radio services were also available to viewers separately from the subscription packages. The brand participated in the development of new television formats as the Russian pay-TV market was adopting HD technology. In February 2010, at the CSTB professional exhibition, Platform HD and its technology partners General Satellite and Samsung Electronics announced work on a 3D television project. The initiative was described as being in preparation, so the available material supports the existence of a development project but not a completed, sustained commercial 3D service. Platform HD was discontinued on July 1, 2012. The shutdown occurred without a reason being provided in the available account, and the service has not operated since that date. There is insufficient reliable information in the supplied material to establish whether the brand was acquired, reorganized, replaced by another operator or formally dissolved. Accordingly, its current corporate successor and final ownership remain unknown.

• 2012

  Platform HD service discontinued

  [1]Platform HDen.wikipedia.org

  The service was shut down on July 1, 2012, and has not been available since. No reason was provided in the available reference.

• 2010

  3D television project announced

  [1]Platform HDen.wikipedia.org

  Platform HD, General Satellite and Samsung Electronics announced work on a 3D television project at CSTB 2010. The project was still at a preparatory stage.

A Russian premium television service centered on high-definition satellite broadcasting, cable retransmission and early experimentation with 3D television.

• High-definition satellite television package

  Platform HD main package

  The principal subscription package carried a selection of HD channels across sports, film, documentaries, nature, travel, lifestyle, music and entertainment. Listed services included 3DV, Sport 1, Eurosport HD, HD Life, HD Sport, High Life, MTVNHD, National Geographic HD, Women’s World, Nat Geo Wild, Kinopokaz HD-1, Kinopokaz HD-2 and Teleputeshestviya HD. It was distributed by satellite and was also available for cable-network retransmission.

• Digital television package

  Platform DV

  Platform DV was a broader package containing Russian terrestrial and thematic channels. Its listed lineup included general-interest broadcasters such as Russia 1, Russia 2, Russia 24, NTV, TNT and STS, alongside thematic services covering travel, technology, cooking, comedy, automobiles and other subjects. The package was delivered through the same satellite television service infrastructure.

• Television technology initiative · 2010

  3D television project

  Platform HD worked with General Satellite and Samsung Electronics on a proposed 3D television project announced at CSTB 2010. The project represented an attempt to extend the operator’s high-definition positioning into stereoscopic television, but the available material describes it only as being in preparation and does not establish a full commercial launch.

• 2012

  Terminate the Platform HD serviceOther

  Background

  The operator ended its satellite television service after offering HD and digital channel packages to viewers in European Russia and cable subscribers.

  Action taken

  Platform HD was shut down on July 1, 2012.

  Aftermath

  The service has not been available since. No reason for the shutdown is given in the available reference material.

  Source

• 2010

  Develop a 3D television serviceProduct launch

  Background

  As high-definition television technology developed in Russia, Platform HD and its technology partners explored a further-generation viewing format.

  Action taken

  Platform HD, General Satellite and Samsung Electronics announced a joint 3D television project at CSTB 2010.

  Aftermath

  The project was reported as being at a preparatory stage. The available sources do not confirm a subsequent commercial channel launch.

  Source

1. 1Platform HDen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Platform HD official websiteplatformahd.ru