SPI to Preview First 4K Channel with Eutelsat

NEW YORK: SPI International has revealed that the first preview of the upcoming 4K FunBox UHD channel, distributed by Filmbox International, is launching on Eutelsat's Hot Bird satellites.

4K FunBox UHD offers native 4K footage of wildlife, nature, landscapes and more. After its official debut on the Eutelsat stand during this month's ANGA conference in Cologne, Germany, the full commercial version of the network will premiere this fall as an encrypted offer for cable and IP headends in Germany and throughout Europe.

Eutelsat's Hot Bird 4K1 is the first channel in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa that can be received directly by consumers with the latest 4K TV panels featuring the proper demodulators and HEVC decoders. 4K TV set equipment has been on the rise in Germany, France and the U.K.

"With 4K FunBox UHD viewers will be able to experience more nuance and detail, faster frame rates, exceptional contrast dynamics and extended colors," said Berk Uziyel, the executive director of Filmbox International. "In addition to wildlife documentaries, some of the eye-popping content on our channel also presents the San Francisco skyline, the amazing study of cloud movements and skylight as well as Ultra HD footage of Asian cities by night. We are also planning to add sports programming and musical events, all in 4K quality."