From today: ARD and Co. only offer HD – you have to do that now

As of today, SD on ARD is no longer available; ZDF will then follow in November. (Image: simonmayer - adobe.stock.com)

If you turn on ARD or the third programs at home today, the TV display could remain black. The reason: ARD has stopped broadcasting SD programs. This has already been announced by ARD (ARD Digital).

Who is affected by this?Anyone who receives their television program via satellite or cable via Vodafone. Antenna users or those who receive linear TV digitally, for example via Sky or Magenta TV, can sit back and relax. The change has already taken place here.

Which TV channels are being eliminated?All ARD channels in standard quality (SD).

  • ARD
  • BR
  • hr
  • MDR
  • NDR
  • Radio Bremen TV
  • rbb television
  • SR television
  • SWR television
  • WDR television

The channels Arte and One were switched to HD-only in November.

This is how you can determine whether you are affected:If you switch on one of the programs mentioned above and there is no picture, then the station is stored in SD in your program list.

Those affected can do this

If you are up to date with the latest technology, you may not have to do anything.

On most TVs and receivers, the channel list is often updated automatically.This means that SD programs are automatically replaced by HD programs by the TV's software.

Manually updates the channel list, that shouldn't be the case. But be careful not to start a channel cycle, because then your usual channel list will be overwritten and you will have to re-sort it.

Do you have a very old TV or receiver from before 2008?, you have to buy a new device that is at least HD ready. Nowadays, however, almost only HD TVs and receivers are available.

This is how you update the channels on Samsung, LG and Co.

For the most well-known brands and operating systems, updating works almost identically via the settings.

Samsung:

  1. Press thatHome-Buttonand choose on the left sideSettings.
  2. SeeksChannel receptionand then startsAutomatic search.
  3. Make sure that channel initialization is disabled so that the program list is updated.

LG:

  1. Press thatGear buttonon the remote control.
  2. ChoosesAll settings.
  3. Look for the optionSenderand then choosesProgram search and settings.
  4. Then start theUpdating the program list.

Sony:

  1. Press thatGear buttonon the remote control.
  2. ChoosesSettings.
  3. Navigates toChannel and transmitter, thereafterChannel update scan.
  4. Starts the update viaSearch for channels.

Philips:

  1. Press thatGear buttonon the remote control.
  2. Search for in the menuInstall transmitterand thenSatellite.
  3. ChoosesSearch for channels, in the next step make sure that youUpdate digital channelshave selected.
  4. Starts the update.

Panasonic:

  1. Opens theSettings.
  2. Navigates toSetuporTuning menu.
  3. Either choose thereUpdate channel listor underChannels & inputsthe optionChannels.

If you have problems with the changeover, you can also contact the technical spectator service: (0331) 585 696 06 (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.).

ZDF will follow suit on November 18th. Aas writes ZDF in onePress release.

The shutdown of the SD channels comes as no surprise. The HD versions of ARD, ZDF and Co. were made freely available as early as 2008. Until now you had the choice between SD and HD. SD is now discontinued to save transmission costs.

Do you watch linear TV HD? Or at all? Feel free to write your opinion in the comments.