July 26, 2022, 11:53 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Television via DVB-T2 is becoming more expensive again in Germany. The provider of DVB-T2, Freenet TV, has announced a price increase. TECHBOOK has the details on the new costs and when they will take effect.
The number of households receiving HD television via antenna is declining. According to Statista, around 1.33 million people watched via DVB-T2 in 2021. However, all of them will soon pay more for television, as provider Freenet TV is raising prices.
Freenet TV Raises Prices by 12.5 Percent
The price increase affects both new and existing customers, but it takes effect at different times. While the higher costs for new customers apply starting in September, existing Freenet TV customers will pay the new prices starting in December. The price increase amounts to one euro per month: prices rise from 6.99 euros to 7.99 euros per month. Customers will thus pay 12.5 percent more.
Since the launch of DVB-T2 in Germany, Freenet TV has already raised prices once. In 2017, antenna television cost 5.75 euros per month. The offer was considered one of the cheapest ways to receive television in full HD. In 2020, the monthly costs rose to 6.99 euros, and with the current price increase, they will soon be 7.99 euros. The ever-increasing costs for locations, personnel, and technical maintenance are just some of the reasons why Freenet TV had to adjust the prices for DVB-T2 and apparently must do so again now.
Also read: Improve DVB-T2 reception with simple tips
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Television via DVB-T2 No Longer So Attractive
DVB-T2 replaced the previously widespread DVB-T in 2017. Before the switch, users only needed an indoor antenna and a receiver to watch TV for free from anywhere–but only in SD. DVB-T2 brought full HD television, but also additional costs. To unlock HD channels via DVB-T2, users needed a subscription with Freenet TV and new hardware in the form of an updated receiver or a CI+ module.
In the year following the switch, user numbers initially increased slightly, but they have been declining since 2018. Other options, such as internet TV (IPTV) or cable, are now much more attractive to many users and are no longer as expensive as they used to be.
Also read: DVB-T2, satellite, cable, internet–how to watch TV most affordably
The range of channels is also higher with alternative reception methods. With Freenet TV, users only have access to about 40 HD channels from private and public broadcasters. The higher prices that Freenet TV will soon charge will not help the spread of DVB-T2 in Germany.