Romania: UPC Launching ‘History HD’

Romanians will become the newest viewers in central Europe this week (Oct. 1) to receive the History HD channel in their native language — joining the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Serbia and Slovenia in the past year.

The Romanian-language service will fire up on UPC, where an SD version has been available since early 2009. However, History HD will not simulcast programming to its SD sister outlet but, instead, will offer a different line-up of content, to include, among other shows, “Ancient Discoveries,” “Ice Road Truckers,” “The Universe” and “Modern Marvels.”

UPC said according to recent market data, the penetration rate of “HD Ready” homes in Romania is about 10 percent, so the service provider is optimistic that subscriber demand for HD will climb steadily in the next couple of years. Most HD viewers thus far are concentrated in the greater Bucharest region.

The addition of History HD will grow cabler UPC’s HD offerings in Romania to 10 channels.