HD+

{{about|the television service|the computer screen resolution|Computer display standard}}

{{Infobox company

| name = HD PLUS GmbH

| type = Privately owned subsidiary

| slogan =

| foundation = May 2009

| location = Unterföhring, Germany

| key_people = Andreas Müller-Vondey (Managing Director)

| num_employees =

| parent = SES S.A.

| industry = Telecommunications

| caption =

| products = Direct broadcast satellite

| revenue =

| operating_income =

| net_income =

| homepage = {{URL|http://hd-plus.de}}

}}

HD+ is a premium high-definition (HD) satellite and streamed TV service for German users, owned by HD PLUS GmbH, a subsidiary of SES based in Unterföhring near Munich, Germany.

HD+ carries HD and ultra-high-definition (UHD) channels outside the established pay-TV networks, broadcast encrypted from satellites at the Astra 19.2°E position direct to home satellite dishes. Reception and decryption is with a dedicated HD+ set-top box, an HD+ conditional-access module (CAM) and Smart Card in a receiver or TV set equipped with a CI+ slot, a Sky Deutschland pay-TV reception system, or certain integrated TV sets. HD+ reception systems also provide reception of free-to-air (unencrypted) HD channels from the same satellites.

In December 2021 the HD+ IP service was launched, streaming HD+ channels to viewers' TV sets through a smart TV app without the need for a dish or set-top box (but without access to UHD TV channels).[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/11/08/hd-unbundles-from-satellite-and-launches-ip-service/ SES unbundles HD+ from satellite and launches IP service] Broadband TV News. 8 November 2021. Accessed 28 February 2022[https://www.hd-plus.de/themen/hd-ip HD+ IP on HD+ website] Accessed 28 February 2022

The HD PLUS GmbH company grew out of ASTRA Platform Services (later SES Platform Services, then MX1, now part of SES Video) and offers the technical management and the marketing of HD programmes for all broadcasters, including the distribution of the smart cards required for reception. In October 2014, HD+ joined the Free TV Alliance, alongside other free-to-view broadcasters Tivù Sat and Fransat, and free-to-air Freesat.{{cite press release |publisher=HD+ |date=October 29, 2014 |url=https://presse.hd-plus.de/unternehmen/presse/hd-plus-engagiert-sich-in-der-europaeischen-freetv-alliance|title=HD+ engagiert sich in der europäischen FreeTV Alliance (in German) |accessdate = November 30, 2020}}

As of December 2016, there were nearly 3 million households in Germany receiving the HD+ service.{{cite press release |publisher=SES |date=February 13, 2017 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/number-hd-subscribers-germany-passes-two-million-mark|title=Number of HD+ subscribers in Germany passes two million mark |accessdate = November 30, 2020}}

HD+ channels

=HD channels=

{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|

}}

=UHD channels=

{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|

RTL UHD
ProSiebenSat.1 UHD
UHD1

}}

=History of HD+ channel line-up=

The HD+ service launched on November 1, 2009, with two channels, RTL HD and Vox HD. Sat.1 HD, ProSieben HD and kabel eins HD were added on January 31, 2010.[https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20090720005368/en/German-Free-TV-Group-of-ProSiebenSat1-Media-AG-to-Launch-Three-HD-Channels-on-HD Sat.1, ProSieben and kabel eins from January 2010 in High Definition on HD+] Business Wire. July 20, 2009. Accessed November 27, 2020

Sport1 HD (previously DSF) joined the service on the first anniversary of the launch of HD+, on November 1, 2010, becoming the first channel in the HD+ package from outside the RTL and ProSiebenSat.1 groups.[https://www.film-tv-video.de/business/2010/11/08/sport1-setzt-auf-hd-und-hbbtv/ Sport1 relies on HD and HbbTV (in German)] Film TV Video. November 8, 2010. Accessed November 27, 2020 On December 1, 2010, HD versions of German women's entertainment channel sixx (owned by ProSiebenSat.1 Media) and entertainment channel RTL II launched in HD on HD+.{{cite press release |publisher=SES Astra |date= October 25, 2010 |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101025005746/en/RTL2-Launches-in-High-Definition-on-HD-in-Germany|title=RTL2 LAUNCHES IN HIGH DEFINITION ON HD+ IN GERMANY |accessdate = January 26, 2012}} In June 2011, Comedy Central and nickelodeon from MTV Networks joined the HD+ platform{{cite press release |publisher=SES Astra |date=June 1, 2011 |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110601007012/en/SES-ASTRA%C2%A0Nickelodeon-HD-and-Comedy-Central-HD-join-HD |title=Nickelodeon HD and Comedy Central HD join HD+ | accessdate = November 30, 2020}} and it was announced that news channel, N24 would join HD+ from July, bringing the number of channels offered to 11.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2011/06/15/german-news-channel-n24-joins-hd/ German news channel N24 joins HD+] Broadband TV News. June 15, 2011. Accessed November 30, 2020

In October 2011 Tele5 HD launched on HD+ and on May 1, 2012, Super RTL launched a high definition version of the RTL/Disney owned channel on the HD+ platform alongside Discovery's DMAX channel.[https://advanced-television.com/2012/04/30/discoverys-dmax-hd-joins-hd/ Discovery’s DMAX-HD joins HD+] Advanced Television. April 30, 2012. Accessed November 27, 2020 The 15th channel to join HD+ was adult pop music channel Deluxe Music, in December 2012.[https://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/38780/vorerst_nur_bei_hd_deluxe_music_bald_auch_in_hd_/ Vorerst nur bei HD+: Deluxe Music bald auch in HD (in German)] DWDL de. December 13, 2012. Accessed November 30, 2020

Disney Channel HD left the German pay-TV platform, Sky Deutschland in November 2013 to relaunch on HD+ on January 17, 2014, as an advertising-financed service.Krieger, Jorn [http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/2013101230266/disney-channel-moves-german-pay-tv-exit-forward.html Disney Channel moves German pay-TV exit forward] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123190619/https://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/2013101230266/disney-channel-moves-german-pay-tv-exit-forward.html |date=2018-01-23 }} Rapid TV News. December 10, 2013. Accessed November 27, 2020[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2013/12/20/disney-channel-hd-joins-hd-platform/ Disney Channel HD joins HD+ platform] Broadband TV News. 20 December 2013. Accessed 27 July 2024 In April 2014 HD+ added the news channel n-tv HD, male orientated entertainment channels ProSieben Maxx HD and RTL Nitro HD, and women's lifestyle channel TLC HD to the line-up, bringing the total number of channels in the service to 20.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/04/28/hd-grows-to-1-5-million-customers/ HD+ grows to 1.5 million customers] Broadband TV News. April 28, 2014. Accessed November 27, 2020

In the months leading up to the launch of HD+, it had been reported that MTV – already broadcasting in HD from Astra 19.2°E – was in discussions to join the package[http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/09/28/mtv-and-dsf-might-join-hd/ MTV and DSF might join HD+] Broadband TV News. September 28, 2009. Accessed November 27, 2020 but it was only some six years after those discussions, on September 1, 2014, that MTV HD left the Sky Deutschland pay-TV platform and became the 21st channel to join HD+. However, MTV HD was not available for customers that viewed HD+ via Sky Deutschland (as there was no VideoGuard encryption enabled for MTV HD) until 21 October 2015.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2015/10/20/mtv-hd-returns-to-sky-d-customers-via-hd/ MTV HD returns to Sky D customers via HD+] Broadband TV News. October 20, 2015. Accessed November 27, 2020 In October, the number of channels was reduced back to 20 when Viacom reorganized its channels in Germany. Comedy Central was no longer available via HD+ and Nickelodeon, which previously shared its channel with Comedy Central, increased its broadcast hours to 24 hours a day.[https://satvision.de/aktuelles-und-news/viacom-sender-werden-neu-positioniert-2148 Nickelodeon HD mit Vollprogramm und MTV neu bei HD Plus (in German)] Satvision. August 27, 2014. Accessed November 27, 2020

On January 1, 2015, the women's channel Sat.1 Gold started broadcasting in HD on the HD+ platform, the last of ProSiebenSat.1's SD channels to launch in HD[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/12/01/sat-1-gold-hd-to-launch-on-january-1-2015/ Sat.1 Gold HD to launch on January 1, 2015] Broadband TV News. December 1, 2014. Accessed November 27, 2020

In September 2015, HD+ started broadcasts of the ultra-high-definition television (UHD) demonstration channel, UHD1, showing sports, culture, lifestyle, and nature video clips and trailers.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2015/08/31/ses-and-hd-launch-ultra-hd-channel-on-astra/ SES and HD+ launch Ultra HD channel on Astra ] Broadband TV News. August 31, 2015. Accessed November 27, 2020

On October 4, 2016, INsight TV HD, an action and extreme sports channel from TV Entertainment Reality Network (TERN) became the 22nd HD+ channel[https://www.infosat.de/digital-tv/deutsche-version-insight-tv-startet-bei-hd-abenteuer-action-und-extremsport-ab-4-oktobe Insight TV startet bei HD+ – Abenteuer, Action- und Extremsport ab 4. Oktober] INFOSAT – INFODIGITAL. September 30, 2010. Accessed November 27, 2020 and on December 1, 2016, Eurosport 1 HD started broadcasting on the HD+ platform.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/11/28/eurosport-1-hd-join-hd-astra/ Eurosport 1 HD to join HD+ on Astra] Broadband TV News. November 28, 2016. Accessed November 27, 2020 In August 2017 Eurosport announced that HD+ subscribers could add access to live sports coverage on the Eurosport 2 HD Xtra channel for an additional €5/month.{{cite press release |publisher=HD+ |url=https://www.presseportal.de/pm/81351/3701104 |title=Fußball-Bundesliga live: Der Ball rollt auch bei HD+(in German) |accessdate = November 28, 2020}}

In December 2017, Travelxp joined HD+, broadcasting in Ultra HD and HDR (the first travel channel worldwide to use HDR) but left the service in April 2020.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2020/03/31/travelxp-4k-to-leave-astra/ Travelxp 4k to leave Astra] Broadband TV News. March 31, 2020. Accessed November 27, 2020 RTL launched its own UHD channel on April 28, 2018, distributed exclusively via HD+.[https://advanced-television.com/2018/04/25/rtl-uhd-goes-live-april-28/ RTL UHD goes live April 28] Advanced Television. April 2015. Accessed November 27, 2020

In March 2019 Comedy Central returned to HD+, replacing Nickelodeon.[https://www.infosat.de/digital-tv/comedy-central-hd-ab-sofort-bei-hd-diveo-und-freenet-ber-satellit Comedy Central HD ab sofort bei HD+, Diveo und Freenet über Satellit] INFOSAT – INFODIGITAL. March 1, 2019. Accessed November 27, 2020

In August 2021, the ProSiebenSat.1 UHD channel was launched on HD+, broadcasting UHD content from channels, Sat.1, ProSieben, Kabel Eins, ProSieben Maxx and Kabel Eins Doku.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/08/04/prosiebensat-1-launches-ultra-hd-channel/ ProSiebenSat.1 launches Ultra HD channel] Broadband TV News. 4 August 2021. Accessed 26 March 2022

In November 2021, RTLup HD (previously RTLplus) and VOXup HD were added to the platform, bringing the number of HD channels to 26.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/11/16/hd-adds-rtlup-hd-and-voxup-hd/ HD+ adds RTLup HD and VOXup HD] Broadband TV News. 16 November 2021. Accessed 26 March 2022

In November 2023, 13 HD channels from German media company High View were added to the HD+ offering at no extra cost to subscribers. The new Variety+ package comprises three entertainment channels (Crime Time HD, Serien+ HD and Red Adventure HD), five music channels (Deluxe Rock HD, Deluxe Flashback HD, Deluxe Dance by Kontor HD, Deluxe Rap HD and Deluxe Lounge HD), two lifestyle channels (Just Cooking HD, just.fishing HD), and three documentary channels (xplore HD, HipTrips HD and OneTerra HD).[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2023/10/30/hd-adds-13-hd-channels-from-high-view-on-astra/ HD+ adds 13 HD channels from High View on Astra] Broadband TV News. 30 October 2023. Accessed 27 December 2023

Service fees and reception equipment

Included in the purchase price of HD+ reception equipment is an HD+ smart card valid for a free introductory trial of all channels in the HD+ service. At the launch of the HD+ service the trial period was 12 months; this was reduced to 6 months in November 2013.[http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2013/11/27/hd-extends-contract-with-broadcasters/ HD+ extends contract with broadcasters] November 27, 2013 Broadband TV News. Accessed March 29, 2017 At the end of the free viewing period, the validity of the card can be extended for a further year on payment of the annual service fee (€50 at the time of the service launch), either direct to HD+ or in stores.{{cite press release |publisher=SES Astra |date= October 12, 2009 |url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2009/4469675|title= Private Broadcasters To Launch HD With HD+ On November 1, 2009 |accessdate = January 26, 2012}} In May 2014 the annual service fee, after expiry of the free viewing period, was increased from €50 to €60 and a monthly payment plan of €5.00/month was introduced.[https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2014020732194/astra-s-hd-to-add-three-new-channels.html#axzz4cpXrP1Fg Astra's HD+ to add three new channels] February 7, 2014 Rapid TV News. Accessed March 29, 2017 In February 2017, the annual subscription was increased to €70 and the monthly fee raised to €5.75.[http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/11/28/german-hd-platform-rises-prices-adds-multiscreen/ German HD+ platform raises prices, adds multiscreen] November 28, 2016 Broadband TV News. Accessed March 29, 2017 In March 2021, subscription fees were raised to €75 (annual) and €6 (monthly).[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/01/14/german-dth-platform-hd-increases-prices/ German DTH platform HD+ increases prices] Broadband TV News. January 14, 2021. Accessed August 22, 2021

Initially, the main route to HD+ reception was with the set-top boxes especially designed for HD+, connected to a satellite dish pointing at Astra 19.2°E, with an HD+ Nagravision smart card. Other satellite receivers or TV sets equipped with a CI+ slot can be fitted with an HD+ conditional-access module (CAM), bought from HD+ or in stores along with the HD+ smart card.

Since June 2011, all the HD+ channels have been additionally encrypted with VideoGuard to be available to Sky Deutschland subscribers without any HD+ equipment. Sky subscribers with a standard Sky HD satellite receiver and smartcard are able to watch and record the HD+ channels, along with the Sky HD channels and free-to-air German HD channels which also broadcast from Astra 19.2°E.[https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110504005657/en/NDS-VideoGuard-to-Secure-HD-Content-for-Sky-Deutschland NDS VideoGuard to Secure HD+ Content for Sky Deutschland] Business Wire. May 4, 2011. Accessed November 27, 2020{{cite press release |publisher=Sky Deutschland |date= April 11, 2011 |url=http://info.sky.de/inhalt/eng/medienzentrum_news_uk_en_11042011.jsp|title= Sky Deutschland expands market leading HD service with 8 additional channels}}

Since September 2011, HD+ channels can also be received via Entertain Sat from Deutsche Telekom[https://www.telekom.com/en/media/media-information/consumer-products/launch-of-entertain-sat-tv-service-from-deutsche-telekom-available-throughout-virtually-the-whole-of-germany--353464 Launch of Entertain Sat: TV service from Deutsche Telekom available throughout virtually the whole of Germany] Deutsche Telekom. September 1, 2011. Accessed November 27, 2020 and, since January 2013, thanks to an agreement with the German broadcasting and broadband communications association (FRK), via some small and medium-sized cable networks.[https://www.infosat.de/news-archiv/frk-einigt-sich-mit-hd-ber-einspeisung-ausgew-hlten-kabelnetzen FRK einigt sich mit HD+ über Einspeisung in ausgewählten Kabelnetzen] INFOSAT – INFODIGITAL. December 19, 2012. Accessed November 27, 2020

In March 2019 Panasonic launched the first commercial deployment of the HbbTV Operator App enabling Panasonic 2019 OLED and UHD smart TVs connected to an Astra 19.2°E dish and to the internet, to receive HD+ services without a set-top box, CI module or smartcard. Two weeks after Panasonic's introduction of the app, Samsung also offered the app's integrated access to HD+ on its 2019 TVs.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/02/18/panasonic-integrates-hd-directly-into-tv-sets/ Panasonic integrates HD+ directly into TV sets] Broadband TV News. March 3, 2019. Accessed August 28, 2019[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/03/06/samsung-to-add-direct-hd-access-to-tv-sets/ Samsung to add direct HD+ access to TV sets] Broadband TV News. March 6, 2019. Accessed August 28, 2019 Other makes of TV followed - various branded TVs from Vestel in 2020,[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2020/07/23/vestel-integrates-hd-into-tv-sets-via-hbbtv-opapp/ Vestel integrates HD+ into TV sets via HbbTV OpApp] Broadband TV News. July 23, 2020. Accessed November 27, 2020 Philips-branded TVs from TP Vision in 2021,[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/07/20/tp-vision-integrates-hd-into-philips-tvs-via-hbbtv-opapp/ TP Vision integrates HD+ into Philips TVs via HbbTV OpApp] Broadband TV News. 20 July 20, 2021. Accessed 21 October 2022 Hisense and Loewe in 2022.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2022/05/19/hisense-integrates-hd-into-smart-tvs-via-hbbtv-opapp/ Hisense integrates HD+ into smart TVs via HbbTV OpApp] Broadband TV News. 19 May 2022. Accessed 21 October 2022[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2022/09/13/loewe-integrates-hd-into-smart-tvs-via-hbbtv-opapp/ Loewe integrates HD+ into smart TVs via HbbTV OpApp] Broadband TV News. 13 September 2022. Accessed 21 October 2022 and LG in 2023[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2023/02/28/lg-integrates-hd-into-smart-tvs-via-hbbtv/ LG integrates HD+ into smart TVs via HbbTV] Broadband TV News. 28 February 2023. Accessed 28 February 2023

In April 2021, Sony provided direct access to HD+ for all its Google TV models using an Android app.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/04/21/sony-integrates-hd-directly-into-tv-sets/ Sony integrates HD+ directly into TV sets] Broadband TV News. April 21, 2021. Accessed August 22, 2021

HD+ IP, launched as a separate offering in December 2021, provides ({{as of|2022|02|lc=y}}) 78 HD channels, including free-to-air channels and regional variations, and catch-up and interactive services via a smart TV app on Panasonic TVs, without the need for a dish or set-top box for €6/month (with one month free trial).

Online and streamed services

In December 2012, HD+ launched the RePlay catch-up TV service, offering full-length programmes up to seven days after their first DTH broadcast. A hybrid broadcast/online system, RePlay required an HbbTV-based HD+ set-top box or, from 2014, the RePlay app on some smart TVs, and carried a subscription fee of €15 per quarter (after a free trial period).[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/06/27/hd-launches-catch-up-tv-portal-as-smart-tv-app/ HD+ launches catch-up TV portal as smart TV app] Broadband TV News. June 27, 2014. Accessed December 27, 2020

Paying extra for catch-up TV proved not to be popular and in 2018, HD+ RePlay was replaced by the free HD+ Komfort-Funktion[https://satvision.de/aktuelles-und-news/hd-replay-wird-eingestellt-6608 HD+ RePlay will be discontinued (in German)] Satvision. June 14, 2018. Accessed December 27, 2020 integrated in various Panasonic, Samsung, and branded Vestel TV sets. Komfort-Funktion allows some programs to be re-started and watched from the beginning and provides access to selected channels’ media libraries, with an interactive TV guide and customized search function.[https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/HD-Erster-Fernseher-mit-integriertem-Zugang-zur-Sat-TV-Plattform-4312087 HD +: First television with integrated access to the satellite TV platform (in German)]{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} c't Magazin. February 2019. Accessed December 27, 2020 TVs providing HD+ via the HbbTV Operator App also provide the Komfort-Funktion.[https://www.panasonic.com/de/corporate/presse/alle-meldungen/079-fy2018-panasonic-tv-hd-operator-app.html4312087 Next generation HbbTV (in German)]{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Panasonic. February 18, 2019. Accessed December 27, 2020

In 2017 (February for iOS, August for Android), HD+ launched the ExtraScreen second screen service which enables households with a Humax 4tune+ set-top box and active HD+ card to stream HD channels from the set-top box to smartphones and tablets running the HD+ Connect app, or to the Humax H1 media player, at no extra charge. The set-top-box distributes encrypted and free-to-air channels via the household's local Wi-Fi network to the mobile devices using Sat-IP, independent of the channel showing on the connected TV set.[http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2017/02/08/hd-launches-multiscreen-app-for-dth-channels/ HD+ launches multiscreen app for DTH channels] Broadband TV News February 8, 2017. Accessed December 27, 2020[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2017/08/24/hd-extrascreen-launches-on-android-devices/ HD+ ExtraScreen launches on Android devices] Broadband TV News. August 24, 2017. Accessed December 27, 2020[https://www.tara-systems.de/success-stories/hd-plus/ HD+ Connect App] TARA Systems. Accessed December 27, 2020

In September 2021, the HD+ ToGo app for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets was launched giving existing subscribers access to the HD channels, along with catch-up services, instant restart, TV guide, search function, recommendations, etc., on mobile devices away from home. The service can be used on up to five different devices with two viewers streaming simultaneously, and costs €5 per month additional subscription, with a 30-day free trial period.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/08/31/hd-to-launch-streaming-service-for-mobile-devices/ HD+ to launch streaming service for mobile devices] Broadband TV News. 31 August 2021. Accessed 29 September 2021

In December 2021 the HD+ IP service was launched, streaming the major public and commercial TV channels in HD as well as catch-up services and interactive features, such as restarting programmes, TV guide and a search function, via a smart TV app on Panasonic TVs, without the need for a dish or set-top box.

In December 2024, HD+ launched the HD+ Stream app for mobile viewing of HD channels and programmes. HD+ Stream combines HD+ ToGo and HD+ IP to provide over 80 public and commercial channels and catch-up services in HD for viewing on a compatible smart TV or mobile device. Subscription to HD+ Stream costs €8.99 per month with a free seven-day test period, and is independent of other HD+ subscriptions.[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2023/11/08/hd-launches-new-mobile-app-hd-stream/ HD+ launches new mobile app HD+ Stream] Broadband TV News. 8 November 2023. Accessed 31 January 2024

In May 2024, the HD+ ToGo service was expanded and rebranded as HD+ MultiScreen, offering viewing and access to catch-up services on three devices simultaneously (previously two): the main TV, mobile devices or additional TVs via Apple Airplay or Google Chromecast. Subscription to HD+ MultiScreen costs €3 per month (previously €5).[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2024/05/22/hd-expands-hd-togo-to-hd-multiscreen/ HD+ expands HD+ ToGo to HD+ MultiScreen] Broadband TV News. 22 May 2024. Accessed 27 June 2024

Service criticism, accolades and uptake

In the lead-up to, and after the launch of HD+, there was some criticism of the service because of the amount of content actually made in HD. Although initially, mainly only US movies and US series were broadcast in native HD, the proportion of HD programmes broadcast increased. By 2013, most in-house productions and almost all major sports events were produced and broadcast in HD. By May 2013, RTL HD was broadcasting more than 90 percent of its programming in native HDTV Movie. May 10, 2013 and by the end of 2014 ProSiebenSat1 Media AG broadcast "with a few exceptions, the entire prime time lineup of Sat1 HD, ProSieben HD, Kabel eins HD and sixx HD in native HD".Digital Fernsehen, November 2012 pages 88–90

The decision to charge for access to the HD+ package, while promoting it as free TV, and the limitations imposed on the service's use (some channels announced they were going to deny the viewer the ability to record broadcasts to watch later or fast-forwarding during commercials[http://www.satundkabel.de/index.php/component/content/article/25-geraete/61228-Verbraucherschuetzer-wettern-weiter-gegen-HD+-von-SES-Astra-_-Co.html Verbraucherschützer wettern weiter gegen HD+ von SES Astra & Co. – HD+ weiter in der Schusslinie]{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} satundkabel.de. August 28, 2009. Accessed May 20, 2010.) was met with some criticism within Germany.{{Cite web|date=2010-08-21|title=Chip Awards 2010 – Brake Of The Year (in German)|url=http://www.chip-media.de/uploads/media/PM_CHIP_Bremse_des_Jahres_01.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821154252/http://www.chip-media.de/uploads/media/PM_CHIP_Bremse_des_Jahres_01.pdf |archive-date=2010-08-21 |access-date=2020-10-07}} However, Ferdinand Kayser, then president and CEO of SES Astra, denied that HD+ is pay-TV. "HD+ is free TV," he said in September 2009 at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, and compared the commercial arrangements to cable TV, in which access to free channels costs money. He said that the annual cost of HD+ is a service fee "which is related to the reception of the offer and not to specific content, parts or packages of the offer".Briel, Robert [http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/09/10/kayser-give-details-about-hd-platform/Kayser rebuffs critics of HD+ platform] Broadband TV News September 10, 2009

HD+ has achieved several awards in German specialist publications. In 2018 Video Magazin gave HD+ a "very good" test rating,[https://www.pc-magazin.de/vergleich/hd-plus-test-3199696-16843.html HD + in the test (in German)] Video Magazin. July 5, 2018. Accessed December 21, 2020 in 2019, the HD+ HbbTV Operator App in Panasonic's integrated HD+ TV sets was awarded "Best use of HbbTV for operator applications" by the HbbTV Association,[https://www.digitalfernsehen.de/news/technik/tech/hbbtv-awards-panasonic-gewinnt-mit-hd-plus-app-549337/ HD + in the test (in German)] Digital Fernsehen. November 22, 2019. Accessed December 21, 2020 and the integration of HD+ into TV sets and the HD+ Komfort-Funktion has received the test rating "very good" in Audiovision (issue 6/2019), Digital Television (8/2019), Satvision (6/2019) and Video (7/2019), "top notch" in av-magazin.de (issue 8/2019), and "innovation" in Sat-Magazin (issue 3/2019).

In May 2011 – some 18 months after the launch of the service – HD+ CEO, Wilfried Urner said that "In a country where the question of whether people are willing to pay for television has been discussed for more than 20 years, the first figures of HD+ are certainly remarkable. A conversion rate of 66 percent is clearly above the expectations, and the active renewal of the HD+ service by so many people after one year is an outstanding result".{{cite press release |publisher=SES Astra |date=May 2, 2011 |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110502005822/en/New-TV-service-HD-Germany-successfully-established|title=New TV service HD+ in Germany successfully established |accessdate = November 30, 2020}}

In the first few years after the launch of the service, the uptake of HD+ was as follows:

class="wikitable"
Date ! Total households receiving HD+ ! Households paying the HD+ service fee
March 2011 \| 769,000 \| 114,000"
May 2012 \| 2.6 million \| >500,000{{cite web\|url=http://www.onastra.com/11518863/2012-14-05-hd-plus-viewrs-surge\|title=HD+ Viewers Surge\|date=May 14, 2012\|work=OnAstra.com\|accessdate=May 30, 2012}}
October 2012 \| 2,8 million \| >750,000[http://www.digitaltvnews.net/?p=21953 HD+ records more than 750,000 paying households for the first time] Digital TV News. October 31, 2012. Accessed November 30, 2020
February 2013 \| \|>1 million {{cite web\|url=http://www.onastra.com/14183088/12-02-more-hd-viewers\|title=More German HD Viewers, Services, Channels\|date=February 17, 2013\|work=OnAstra.com\|accessdate=March 27, 2013}}
October 2014 \| 2.9 million \| 1.59 million {{cite press release \|publisher=HD+ \|date=October 31, 2014\|url=http://www.hd-plus.de/#/hd-plus/news/hd-plus-baut-kundenstamm-aber-mals-aus\|title=Quartal 2014: HD+ baut Kundenstamm abermals aus (German) \|accessdate = November 30, 2014}}
December 2014 \| 3.1 million \| 1.65 million{{cite press release \|publisher=SES \|date=February 2, 2015\|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-platform-hd-germany-reaches-more-3-million-households\|title=SES PLATFORM HD+ IN GERMANY REACHES MORE THAN 3 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS\|accessdate = November 30, 2020}}
December 2015 \| 2.95 million \| 1.84 million{{cite press release \|publisher=SES \|date=January 29, 2016\|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/hd-records-113-percent-growth-subscribers-2015 \|title= HD+ RECORDS 11.3 PERCENT GROWTH IN SUBSCRIBERS IN 2015\|accessdate = November 30, 2020}}
December 2016 \| 2.96 million \| 2.11 million

class="wikitable"

Date

! Total households receiving HD+

! Households paying the HD+ service fee

March 2011

| 769,000

| 114,000"

May 2012

| 2.6 million

| >500,000{{cite web|url=http://www.onastra.com/11518863/2012-14-05-hd-plus-viewrs-surge|title=HD+ Viewers Surge|date=May 14, 2012|work=OnAstra.com|accessdate=May 30, 2012}}

October 2012

| 2,8 million

| >750,000[http://www.digitaltvnews.net/?p=21953 HD+ records more than 750,000 paying households for the first time] Digital TV News. October 31, 2012. Accessed November 30, 2020

February 2013

|>1 million {{cite web|url=http://www.onastra.com/14183088/12-02-more-hd-viewers|title=More German HD Viewers, Services, Channels|date=February 17, 2013|work=OnAstra.com|accessdate=March 27, 2013}}

October 2014

| 2.9 million

| 1.59 million {{cite press release |publisher=HD+ |date=October 31, 2014|url=http://www.hd-plus.de/#/hd-plus/news/hd-plus-baut-kundenstamm-aber-mals-aus|title=Quartal 2014: HD+ baut Kundenstamm abermals aus (German) |accessdate = November 30, 2014}}

December 2014

| 3.1 million

| 1.65 million{{cite press release |publisher=SES |date=February 2, 2015|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-platform-hd-germany-reaches-more-3-million-households|title=SES PLATFORM HD+ IN GERMANY REACHES MORE THAN 3 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS|accessdate = November 30, 2020}}

December 2015

| 2.95 million

| 1.84 million{{cite press release |publisher=SES |date=January 29, 2016|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/hd-records-113-percent-growth-subscribers-2015 |title= HD+ RECORDS 11.3 PERCENT GROWTH IN SUBSCRIBERS IN 2015|accessdate = November 30, 2020}}

December 2016

| 2.96 million

| 2.11 million

Austria

The equivalent of HD+ in Austria is HD Austria.{{Cite web|title=HD Plus|url=http://hdinfo.at/hd-plus|access-date=2020-10-07|website=HDinfo.at – Voll erleben|language=de}}