Television in the Netherlands was introduced in 1951. In the Netherlands, the television market is divided between a number of commercial networks, such as RTL Nederland, and a system of public broadcasters sharing three channels, Nederland 1, Nederland 2, and Nederland 3. Imported programmes (other than those for children) are almost always shown in their original language, with subtitles.[1]
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In the Netherlands, television can be watched analogous or digital (the latter with the option of HDTV or 3D). Over 2010, 56.9% of Dutch television viewers were using some kind of digital service.[2] Watching analogue television can only be done via cable, since the Dutch government ended reception via airwaves in 2006. Watching digital television is possible through a variety of ways, the most common being:
What television channels can be received is heavily dependent on the cable operator and in most cases also the channel package that is paid for. However, there is a small selection of channels that every operator must carry. For 2011, these are the following channels:[3]
The Netherlands has three nationwide channels for publicly-funded television (Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (NPO)). These channels can only make a fixed maximum amount of money from commercials. These commercials never interrupt broadcasts, and are only shown in between shows. The broadcasting organisations that use these channels are basically representative of the Dutch society. Every broadcasting company has members and the number of members gives them a status that is connected to the number of hours of broadcasting. If you are planning to 'go public' on Dutch television you need to have 50.000 members and something new to add to the existing broadcasting conglomerate. Granting or refusal of entry is decided politically on the guidance of public opinion.
In 2005 there was a sharp political debate over government plans to cut funding to public broadcasters and to abolish statutory broadcaster NPS.
The three national television channels are:
The twelve digital television channels, that are available through Nederland 24, a promotional name for the set of digital speciality channels that are provided by the Netherlands Public Broadcasting organisation, are:
There is also an international channel:
Most regions and provinces have their own television channel as well. These also receive government funding:
The following (international) commercial channels broadcast localized versions of their programs:
Many cable and satellite providers also broadcast 'domestic television' networks free; that is to say they are provided as part of the basic subscription to the cable or satellite service. Other 'domestic' channels may be received as part of extended packages. Many basic subscriptions include:
In the Netherlands customers can receive high-definition television channels by cable or satellite. There is no terrestrial HD service available nor planned. The first trials with high-definition television in the Netherlands began in 2006 with the broadcast of the 2006 World Cup in HD. After the trial the larger cable companies continued a HD service with a small number of channels as National Geographic Channel HD, Discovery HD Showcase, History HD, Film1 HD and Sport1 HD But because no Dutch network had made the move to HD, already broadcasted in widescreen and the quality of the standard-definition PAL signal was good enough for most people, demand was low.
Since the 2006 trials none of the main Dutch networks made the move to HD. This changed in the summer of 2008 when from June 1, 2008 until August 24, 2008 the Netherlands Public Broadcasting (NPO) organisations made their primary channel, Nederland 1 temporary available in HD. This made it possible to broadcast Euro 2008, the 2008 Tour de France, and the 2008 Summer Olympics in HD and additionally allowed them to test their systems before the scheduled launch of their permanent HD service in early 2009. The NPO planned to launch their permanent HD service with HD versions of their three channels Nederland 1, Nederland 2, and Nederland 3. Most of the programming in the early stages will consists of upscaled material from their parent channels as in time more programs will become available in HD.[4] Technicolor Netherlands, the company responsible for the technical realisation of the broadcasts of the NPOs television and radio channels, began the summer 2008 test broadcast of Nederland 1 HD in 720p/50 as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) recommends. During the test period an additional 1080i/25 version of the channel was made available to the cable companies because of quality complaints from viewers. No information has been made available what the format of the permanent HD service from the NPO will be.
The commercial broadcasting organization in the Netherlands the SBS Broadcasting Group (NET 5, SBS 6, Veronica) are currently available in HD via cable and satellite. The channels of RTL nederland are only available in HD by satellite.
This is a non comprehensive list of HD channels available in the Netherlands.
Also available on many platforms:
Scheduled for 2012
Satellite viewers can receive a number of additional HD channels from the surrounding countries when broadcasting free-to-air. But these channels are not part of HD services offered in the Netherlands nor broadcast programming aimed at the Dutch market.
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