UPC Cablecom plans digital expansion, ahead of analogue switchoff

Liberty Global-owned Swiss cable operator UPC Cablecom plans to extend its free digital channel offering this summer and completely stop its analogue services next year. 

In a statement, UPC Cablecom said it is “poised to take the final steps towards full digitalisation,” in a move that will see it boost its free digital TV offer to more than 65 TV channels.

At the same time, UPC said that on June 3, 2014, it will update analogue TV for the last time in German-speaking Switzerland and in parts of French-speaking Switzerland and will then concentrate on the 17 most popular channels. In 2015, it said it is stopping analogue services altogether.

The new digital channels due to be added on June 3 include the new Swiss entertainment channels 5+ HD and TV24 HD, as well as additional channels in HD.

“By means of a comprehensive information campaign to private and business customers, as well as specific customer groups such as private property owners, municipalities, retirement homes and hospitals, UPC Cablecom is focusing attention on the switch-over due on 3 June using letters, e-mails, brochures, tickers on TV channels and a dedicated website,” said UPC Cablecom.