ZDF to launch new HD services, names programming chief

German public broadcaster ZDF will launch HD versions of its thematic channels in May. The broadcaster will launch HD versions of ZDFneo, ZDFinfo, ZDFkultur, 3sat and Kika on May 1 via satellite.

No deal is in place to secure carriage of the channels on cable, but ZDF director Thomas Bellut said that cable would be under pressure from viewers to include the HD offerings in their line-up.

Separately, ZDF has named Norbert Himmler as its new programming director. Himmler was previously head of development for films and was also responsible for the build up to the launch of the ZDFneo channel.