Europe home to over 600 HD channels

Approximately 612 HD channels were available in Europe at the end of 2011, according to the Mavise TV database developed by the European Audiovisual Observator for the European Commission.

That figure compares to 414 at the end of 2010 and 274 at end-2009. Sport remained the most popular HD channel genre, accounting for about 20% of all channels, followed by movie and generalist channels.

Satellite platforms delivered most HD channels. DTH packages offering over 50 HD channels were available in Italy, the UK and Ireland, with over 30 HD channels offered in Germany, France and the Netherlands.

Portugal was home to the most HD channels delivered via cable with over 40 available in the country. HD was available on DTT networks in 18 countries at the end of 2011, compared to just three at the end of 2009.

The database shows an estimated 20 3D channels at end-2011.