1+1 media signed contracts for the supply of tuners for reception of an encoded satellite signal

The 1+1 media group was the first among domestic media groups to sign an agreement for the supply of satellite TV receivers, which are required for receiving an encoded satellite signal.

In this way, the group is preparing for the coding of the satellite signal of Ukrainian TV channels planned for the fall of this year, which is common to all developed European markets. The purpose of implementing coding is to fulfill the obligation of media groups by clearly defining and limiting the territory of satellite coverage to protect the rights of content authors from unlicensed broadcasting and piracy.

The largest importers and manufacturers of satellite receiving equipment in Ukraine - the companies "ROMSAT" and "STRONG" became equipment suppliers. According to the signed contracts, set-top boxes (TV set-top boxes) will be supplied in the quantity necessary to meet the demand of satellite reception subscribers. Already in the summer, the equipment will appear in retail chains of Ukraine.

"With the support of the regulator, together with other media groups and together with importers, we are developing a detailed plan to prepare for the introduction of coding. The main tasks of the plan are early and comprehensive informing of TV viewers about the planned changes, saturating the market with a sufficient number of devices for decoding the satellite signal, as well as creating conditions for the easiest possible connection and reception of the coded signal. The signing of the agreement for the supply of such set-top boxes is an important step in the preparation stage, which confirms the readiness to encode the satellite signal already this fall," comments Yaroslav Pakholchuk, executive director and director of pay TV development of 1+1 media.

Coding of the satellite signal of the channels will be carried out using the Verimatrix coding system, which provides a high level of signal protection, which makes it impossible to use card-sharing technology and other methods of illegal use of content.

"We will offer the end user a modern solution with the best price-quality ratio. Large-scale work and a number of tripartite meetings between the Customer-importer-manufacturer have already been carried out. The 1+1 media team outlined the requirements for set-top boxes - compatibility with the Verimatrix encoding system, quality and reasonable price. Our specialists offered the best option based on the ALi (ALi Corporation) chipset. The production of tuners will be undertaken by the Skardin company. Implementation will be carried out through our strategic partners - National chains of retail trade of household appliances and electronics, as well as an extensive dealer network throughout the country. This will make it possible to satisfy future demand in time and in full", - Maksym Vodolazkyi, director of development of "ROMSAT", shared his plans.

"When designing our receivers, the experience of creating similar products in European and Asian countries was taken into account - so users will receive European-style tuners. The receivers were created by the parent company Skyworth - the company that ranks third in the world in terms of the volume of production of tuners. Our tuners got a friendly and simple interface. So even inexperienced users will find it easy to set up and find their favorite TV channels. This tuner is built according to the joint requirements of the project's customers, based on the ALI chipset, compatible with the Verimatrix coding system and software support for two years. We plan to cover the entire country through retail chains, dealers and online stores, and we hope that this project will attract the attention of not only current satellite TV users, but also new ones," commented Oleksandr Borisov, commercial director of STRONG UKRAINE.

To receive an encrypted satellite signal, the viewer will need a satellite receiver with a built-in Verimatrix encoding system or a conditional access module (CAM) for use with televisions with built-in satellite receivers.

The feature of satellite receivers will be that they will work in FTA and DTH modes. In the FTA mode, viewing of TV channels will be provided as in a regular satellite set-top box, and in the DTH mode, the viewer will be able to watch encoded TV channels.

The group also notes that encryption will in no way affect information and national security in the country. Information broadcasting and public television, i.e. dozens of Ukrainian channels, the mandatory function of which is to inform the population, will remain unencoded for the viewer.