Basic encryption

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Basic encryption describes (not technically, but functionally) the basic encryption of one or more television programs on a transmission path ( cable , satellite, etc.). A fundamentally encrypted program can no longer be received without a decoder to be purchased in addition to the television, even if it can be received free of charge on other transmission channels.

Pay TV programs that are widely used on generally accessible transmission channels are transmitted in encrypted form. They only go to paying customers with a special decoder card (“ Pay TV ”). With basic encryption, not only pay TV programs, but the entire transmission route is encrypted. Bundles of programs or all programs distributed on it are only available with the help of a (fee-based) decoder card, even those that are not financed by fees for their decryption and that may be available free of charge on other transmission channels (" free TV "). Pay-TV programs also distributed on the same transmission path are additionally encrypted.

Basic encryption is often used to comply with licensing obligations. For example, if a television broadcaster purchases a license to broadcast a program for only a limited territory, such as the country in which the broadcaster is located, it would violate the license if the program was broadcast unencrypted via a satellite that also covers neighboring territories. For this reason, for example, the ORF only sends its television programs via satellite in encrypted form, but at the same time every person residing in Austria can receive a decoder card for a small one-time fee to receive these programs. There are similar concepts in many other countries.

Basic encryption is the subject of a controversy between cable network operators , television broadcasters and TV satellite operators , as well as between private broadcasters and public broadcasters . In 2007, ProSiebenSat.1 initially refrained from DVB-S basic encryption due to pressure from the Cartel Office . The HDTV versions from RTL, Vox, Sat.1, Kabel1 and Pro7 have been broadcast encrypted via the HD + platform since the end of 2009 .

Up until the beginning of 2013, most German cable network operators were using basic encryption for the digital distribution of free private television; in the meantime this has been switched off except for the smaller provider Primacom . Unitymedia removed the basic encryption on January 2nd, 2013. Kabel Deutschland followed with 10 SD programs ( SDTV with 576i lines) on April 3, 2013, another 17 followed a month later. The broadcasting groups RTL and ProSiebenSat1 have made a binding commitment to abolish the basic encryption of their SD programs from 2013.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ http://insider.ses-astra.de/news/2009/08/artikel/hd-receiver-alles-was-sie-zum-start-wissen-muessen/
  2. ↑ Volker Zota: TV basic encryption: Free view at Unity Media. In: heise.de , January 2, 2013, accessed December 20, 2017
  3. ↑ Nico Jurran: Private broadcaster at Kabel Deutschland digitally freely receivable. In: heise.de , April 3, 2013, accessed December 20, 2017
  4. ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from March 12, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.bundeskartellamt.de

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