Television in Belgium
Encyclopedia
Television
in Belgium
was introduced in 1953
.
They have their own systems of regulating the audiovisual media and their own public-service broadcasting authorities, namely VRT
, RTBF
and BRF
respectively.
in the Flemish Community
and RTBF
in the French Community of Belgium
, broadcast their channels via operators using cable, satellite, ADSL and terrestrial broadcasting. The Belgian commercial TV stations are currently only available on cable, satellite and ADSL. Terrestrial broadcasting is limited to public service TV stations because of the high adoption rate of cable (94%) in Belgium which makes it unnecessary to broadcast commercially.
, 2
, and 3
from Netherlands Public Broadcasting as well as ARD
and ZDF
, BBC
One
and Two
, BBC World News and BBC Entertainment
and TF1
, France 2
and France 3
.
, the main cable network operator in Flanders
, the northern region of Belgium
, has around 25 analogue TV channels which are also available digitally (MHP
over DVB-C
). In total about 80 TV channels are available digitally. This includes some TV channels that were already available in analogue and digital form: Prime (in Dutch) or BeTV (in French) are pay-TV operators broadcasting several SDTV channels over one DVB-C
multiplex. Telenet is however pushing for their DVB-C channels as interactive Digital TV, using their cable network for uplink purposes.
Current cable customers do not need to pay an extra subscription for about 35 digital channels, but they must purchase a set-top box
in order to view these digital channels and use the interactive services.
Telenet
, the main cable operator in Flanders, also offers Dutch-language or Dutch-subtitled versions of Nick Jr., Jetix
, Boomerang
, Cartoon Network
, Eurosport
, National Geographic Channel
, Sci Fi Channel
, Travel Channel
, 13th Street
, Hallmark Channel
, TCM
, MGM Movie Channel, Star!, Zone Club
, the History Channel, Animal Planet
and four networks of Discovery Channel.
HDTV
was expected from summer 2006, to coincide with the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, but has not materialized. Despite Telenet, confirmed as part of its launch announcement of "Telenet Digital TV" on June 16, 2005 that it would sell HDTV set-top-boxes as of June 2006, HDTV capable set-top boxes for Telenet interactive digital TV were only available in December 2007. In 2009 Telenet already offered 14 HD channels on its digital network.
From July 2005 Integan, a cable network operator in the outskirts of the city of Antwerp, is offering HDTV. Integan was fully integrated in the Telenet cable network from 2009 onwards.
and VOO
. Telenet
is also present, but in only a few municipalities of the region
is the main cable network operator in Wallonia, the southern part of Belgium.
on the Flemish side
and RTBF
on the French-speaking side
also broadcast their channels digitally (DVB-T
).
Analogue terrestrial broadcasts are being phased out.
can be received all over Flanders
and Brussels
.
Analogue terrestrial TV transmission of VRT Eén and VRT Ketnet/Canvas ended on 3 November 2008. The VRT multiplex transmission from Egem will move from channel 40 (626 MHz) to channel 22 (482 MHz); that from Genk on channel 41 (634 MHz) will move to channel 25 (506 MHz), and that from Antwerpen and Schoten on channel 59 (778 MHz) will move to channel 25 (506 MHz) as well. The VRT multiplex transmissions from Brussels, Gent, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, and Veltem will continue to operate on channel 22 (482 MHz). The move to lower frequencies may result in a slight increase in coverage area of the transmissions.
launched its DTT platform on 30 November 2007, which is now available to most of French-speaking Belgium and Brussels. It offers RTBF La Une and RTBF La Deux. RTBF also launched a new channel exclusive to DTT called RTBF La Trois
, and they added a fourth channel to the multiplex, namely Euronews
, a pan-European news channel. TV5MONDE
and Arte
are expected to be added before 2009.
The RTBF plans to shut down the analogue transmitters within the timespan regulated by the EU, in November 2011.
satellite television aimed at the Flemish
, Dutch speaking market, broadcasting (encrypted, Seca 2/Irdeto 2) via the Astra 1G
satellite at 19.2°E
. It has more than 60,000 subscribers.
In December 2008, a French language satellite platform called TeleSat has launched via the Eutelsat Hot Bird satellite position at 13°E. It broadcasts in MPEG4/DVB-S2 in SD and consists of RTBF La Une, RTBF La Deux, RTL-TVi, Plug TV and Club RTL as well as a number of French language Belgian radio stations.
Both TV Vlaanderen and TeleSat are Belgian subsidiaries of the Airfield Holding, who also owns the Dutch DTH platform, CanalDigitaal.
Canal Digitaal, a Dutch subsidiary of the Airfield Holding broadcasts from both Astra 19.2°E
and Astra
's 23.5°E
position, which are available to the Flemish Dutch speaking market using a single dish with a Duo LNB
(DVB-S).
VRT
and RTBF
both have international channels on digital satellite (DVB-S
) called BVN
(as a cooperation between the Flemish VRT
and the Dutch NOS
) and TV5MONDE
.
(See also Euro1080
).
is offering digital television (IPTV
) via ADSL using its nationwide telephone network. Its offering has been extended with two optional bouquets: one providing movies and one selection for families, including cartoons, National Geographic, etc.
Other private companies provide a similar service, using the Belgacom telephone network.
), Belgacom
is showing some interest in building a DVB-H network.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
was introduced in 1953
Timeline of the introduction of television in countries
This is a list of when the first publicly announced television broadcasts occurred in the mentioned countries. Non-public field tests and closed circuit demonstrations are not included....
.
History
The three Belgian Communities - Dutch, French and German-speaking - have legal responsibility for audiovisual communication. They constitute separate markets, the common feature of which is the fact that they have been extensively cabled for three decades and are thus able to receive neighbouring countries’ channels.They have their own systems of regulating the audiovisual media and their own public-service broadcasting authorities, namely VRT
Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep
The Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie , or VRT, is a publicly-funded broadcaster of radio and television in Flanders ....
, RTBF
RTBF
Radio Télévision Belge Francophone is the public broadcasting organization of the French Community of Belgium, the southern, French-speaking part of Belgium...
and BRF
Belgischer Rundfunk
Belgischer Rundfunk is the public-service broadcasting organization serving the German-speaking Community of Belgium...
respectively.
Native channels
The two main Belgian public TV networks, VRTVlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep
The Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie , or VRT, is a publicly-funded broadcaster of radio and television in Flanders ....
in the Flemish Community
Flemish Community
The term Flemish Community has two distinct, though related, meanings:...
and RTBF
RTBF
Radio Télévision Belge Francophone is the public broadcasting organization of the French Community of Belgium, the southern, French-speaking part of Belgium...
in the French Community of Belgium
French Community of Belgium
The French Community of Belgium is one of the three official communities in Belgium along with the Flemish Community and the German speaking Community. Although its name could suggest that it is a community of French citizens in Belgium, it is not...
, broadcast their channels via operators using cable, satellite, ADSL and terrestrial broadcasting. The Belgian commercial TV stations are currently only available on cable, satellite and ADSL. Terrestrial broadcasting is limited to public service TV stations because of the high adoption rate of cable (94%) in Belgium which makes it unnecessary to broadcast commercially.
Foreign channels
Apart from the channels listed above, most cable, satellite and ADSL systems in Belgium distribute television stations from other European countries including the Netherlands, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Most people are able to receive Nederland 1Nederland 1
Nederland 1 is the first national television station in the Netherlands, it was launched on 2 October 1951. It provides public broadcasting and currently exists next to sister channels Nederland 2 and 3. The several broadcasting organisations of the Publieke Omroep deliver programmes. A wide...
, 2
Nederland 2
Nederland 2 is a Dutch television channel, one of three alongside Nederland 1 and Nederland 3. It was established in October 1964 and tends to broadcast sports, light entertainment, news and current affairs programming....
, and 3
Nederland 3
Nederland 3 is the third and youngest of the terrestrial television channels operated by the Dutch public-broadcasting organization NPO in the Netherlands and carries programs provided by member-based non-profit broadcasting associations. It is oriented towards children, youth and innovative...
from Netherlands Public Broadcasting as well as ARD
ARD (broadcaster)
ARD is a joint organization of Germany's regional public-service broadcasters...
and ZDF
ZDF
Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen , ZDF, is a public-service German television broadcaster based in Mainz . It is run as an independent non-profit institution, which was founded by the German federal states . The ZDF is financed by television licence fees called GEZ and advertising revenues...
, BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
and Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
, BBC World News and BBC Entertainment
BBC Entertainment
BBC Entertainment is an international television channel showcasing comedy, drama, light entertainment and children's programming from the BBC and other UK production houses...
and TF1
TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
, France 2
France 2
France 2 is a French public national television channel. It is part of the state-owned France Télévisions group, along with France 3, France 4, France 5 and France Ô...
and France 3
France 3
France 3 is the second largest French public television channel and part of the France Télévisions group, which also includes France 2, France 4, France 5, and France Ô....
.
Flanders
TelenetTelenet (Belgium)
Telenet Group is the largest provider of broadband cable services in Belgium. Its business comprises the provision of analog and digital cable television, high speed internet and fixed and mobile telephony services, primarily to residential customers in Flanders and Brussels...
, the main cable network operator in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
, the northern region of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, has around 25 analogue TV channels which are also available digitally (MHP
Multimedia Home Platform
Multimedia Home Platform is an open middleware system standard designed by the DVB project for interactive digital television. The MHP enables the reception and execution of interactive, Java-based applications on a TV-set. Interactive TV applications can be delivered over the broadcast channel,...
over DVB-C
DVB-C
DVB-C stands for Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable and it is the DVB European consortium standard for the broadcast transmission of digital television over cable...
). In total about 80 TV channels are available digitally. This includes some TV channels that were already available in analogue and digital form: Prime (in Dutch) or BeTV (in French) are pay-TV operators broadcasting several SDTV channels over one DVB-C
DVB-C
DVB-C stands for Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable and it is the DVB European consortium standard for the broadcast transmission of digital television over cable...
multiplex. Telenet is however pushing for their DVB-C channels as interactive Digital TV, using their cable network for uplink purposes.
Current cable customers do not need to pay an extra subscription for about 35 digital channels, but they must purchase a set-top box
Set-top box
A set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
in order to view these digital channels and use the interactive services.
Telenet
Telenet (Belgium)
Telenet Group is the largest provider of broadband cable services in Belgium. Its business comprises the provision of analog and digital cable television, high speed internet and fixed and mobile telephony services, primarily to residential customers in Flanders and Brussels...
, the main cable operator in Flanders, also offers Dutch-language or Dutch-subtitled versions of Nick Jr., Jetix
Jetix (Netherlands)
Jetix was a children's television programming brand owned by Disney-ABC Television Group broadcast in the Netherlands. It was previously known as Fox Kids. This version of the channel was also available in Belgium on Telenet and TV Vlaanderen and Belgacom TV...
, Boomerang
Boomerang (TV channel)
Boomerang is a 24-hour American cable television channel owned by Turner Broadcasting System, a division of Time Warner. Boomerang specializes in reruns of animated programming from Time Warner's extensive archives, including pre-1986 MGM, Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Network, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises...
, Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network (Europe)
Cartoon Network is a pan-European digital television channel created by Turner Broadcasting, a unit of Time Warner and dedicated to showing animated programming...
, Eurosport
Eurosport
Eurosport is a pan-European television sport network operated by French broadcaster TF1 Group. The network of channels are available in 59 countries, in 20 different languages providing viewers with European and international sporting events...
, National Geographic Channel
National Geographic Channel
National Geographic Channel, also commercially abbreviated and trademarked as Nat Geo, is a subscription television channel that airs non-fiction television programs produced by the National Geographic Society. Like History and the Discovery Channel, the channel features documentaries with factual...
, Sci Fi Channel
Sci Fi Channel (Benelux)
Syfy is a Dutch-language digital television channel service specialising in science fiction, fantasy, and horror shows and movies. The channel launched in 2007 as a sister channel to the US Sci Fi Channel, with a similar programming line-up...
, Travel Channel
Travel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
, 13th Street
13th Street
13th Street Universal is a television channel specialising in action and suspense shows and movies. It is owned by NBCUniversal and was launched in France on November 13, 1997 and in Germany on May 1, 1998...
, Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel (International)
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts in over 100 countries. They specialize in series and movies that are appropriate for the whole family. In all countries except the United States they are owned by NBC Universal. The Hallmark name is licensed from Hallmark Cards,...
, TCM
Turner Classic Movies
Turner Classic Movies is a movie-oriented cable television channel, owned by the Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary of Time Warner, featuring commercial-free classic movies, mostly from the Turner Entertainment and MGM, United Artists, RKO and Warner Bros. film libraries...
, MGM Movie Channel, Star!, Zone Club
Zone Club
Zone Club is a European lifestyle and entertainment channel. The channel focuses on six different programme categories: style, health, home, travel, food and relationships...
, the History Channel, Animal Planet
Animal Planet Europe
Animal Planet Europe is a version of Animal Planet. It broadcasts to several countries in Eastern and Central Europe.Many regions in Europe that previously received the Pan-European version of the channel, now receive a specific version for their regions, such as:*Animal Planet Nordic for the...
and four networks of Discovery Channel.
HDTV
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
was expected from summer 2006, to coincide with the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, but has not materialized. Despite Telenet, confirmed as part of its launch announcement of "Telenet Digital TV" on June 16, 2005 that it would sell HDTV set-top-boxes as of June 2006, HDTV capable set-top boxes for Telenet interactive digital TV were only available in December 2007. In 2009 Telenet already offered 14 HD channels on its digital network.
From July 2005 Integan, a cable network operator in the outskirts of the city of Antwerp, is offering HDTV. Integan was fully integrated in the Telenet cable network from 2009 onwards.
Brussels
The main cable network operator in the Brussels Region are NuméricableNumericable
Numericable is a British-American-Luxembourgian owned cable television operator operating in France, Belgium and Luxembourg, currently proposing standard quadruple-play services .- History :...
and VOO
Voo
Voo may refer to:* Voo Voo - a Polish jazz-rock band formed in 1985.* Voo Nocturno - the thirteenth album by Jorge Palma.* Vo0 - a nickname of electronic sports player Sander Kaasjager....
. Telenet
Telenet (Belgium)
Telenet Group is the largest provider of broadband cable services in Belgium. Its business comprises the provision of analog and digital cable television, high speed internet and fixed and mobile telephony services, primarily to residential customers in Flanders and Brussels...
is also present, but in only a few municipalities of the region
Wallonia
VOOVoo
Voo may refer to:* Voo Voo - a Polish jazz-rock band formed in 1985.* Voo Nocturno - the thirteenth album by Jorge Palma.* Vo0 - a nickname of electronic sports player Sander Kaasjager....
is the main cable network operator in Wallonia, the southern part of Belgium.
Terrestrial
The two Belgian public TV networks, VRTVlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep
The Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie , or VRT, is a publicly-funded broadcaster of radio and television in Flanders ....
on the Flemish side
Flemish Community
The term Flemish Community has two distinct, though related, meanings:...
and RTBF
RTBF
Radio Télévision Belge Francophone is the public broadcasting organization of the French Community of Belgium, the southern, French-speaking part of Belgium...
on the French-speaking side
French Community of Belgium
The French Community of Belgium is one of the three official communities in Belgium along with the Flemish Community and the German speaking Community. Although its name could suggest that it is a community of French citizens in Belgium, it is not...
also broadcast their channels digitally (DVB-T
DVB-T
DVB-T is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting — Terrestrial; it is the DVB European-based consortium standard for the broadcast transmission of digital terrestrial television that was first published in 1997 and first broadcast in the UK in 1998...
).
Analogue terrestrial broadcasts are being phased out.
Flanders and Brussels
VRTVlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep
The Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie , or VRT, is a publicly-funded broadcaster of radio and television in Flanders ....
can be received all over Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
and Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.
Analogue terrestrial TV transmission of VRT Eén and VRT Ketnet/Canvas ended on 3 November 2008. The VRT multiplex transmission from Egem will move from channel 40 (626 MHz) to channel 22 (482 MHz); that from Genk on channel 41 (634 MHz) will move to channel 25 (506 MHz), and that from Antwerpen and Schoten on channel 59 (778 MHz) will move to channel 25 (506 MHz) as well. The VRT multiplex transmissions from Brussels, Gent, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, and Veltem will continue to operate on channel 22 (482 MHz). The move to lower frequencies may result in a slight increase in coverage area of the transmissions.
Wallonia and Brussels
RTBFRTBF
Radio Télévision Belge Francophone is the public broadcasting organization of the French Community of Belgium, the southern, French-speaking part of Belgium...
launched its DTT platform on 30 November 2007, which is now available to most of French-speaking Belgium and Brussels. It offers RTBF La Une and RTBF La Deux. RTBF also launched a new channel exclusive to DTT called RTBF La Trois
La Trois
La Trois is a Belgian national television channel, owned and operated by RTBF. It is exclusive to the operator's digital terrestrial television offering which launched on 30 November 2007...
, and they added a fourth channel to the multiplex, namely Euronews
EuroNews
Euronews is an international multilingual news television channel.It covers world news from what it claims to be a 'European' perspective.Criticisms are that the perspective is in fact that of the European Commission - a major and growing funder of Euronews....
, a pan-European news channel. TV5MONDE
TV5MONDE
TV5MONDE is a global television network, broadcasting several channels of French language programming. It is an approved participant member of the European Broadcasting Union.-History:...
and Arte
Arte
Arte is a Franco-German TV network. It is a European culture channel and aims to promote quality programming especially in areas of culture and the arts...
are expected to be added before 2009.
The RTBF plans to shut down the analogue transmitters within the timespan regulated by the EU, in November 2011.
Satellite
TV Vlaanderen supplies DVB-SDVB-S
DVB-S is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting — Satellite; it is the original Digital Video Broadcasting forward error coding and demodulation standard for satellite television and dates from 1994, in its first release, while development lasted from 1993 to 1997...
satellite television aimed at the Flemish
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
, Dutch speaking market, broadcasting (encrypted, Seca 2/Irdeto 2) via the Astra 1G
SES Astra
Astra is the name for the geostationary communication satellites, both individually and as a group, which are owned and operated by SES S.A., a global satellite operator based in Betzdorf, in eastern Luxembourg. The name is sometimes also used to describe the channels broadcasting from these...
satellite at 19.2°E
Astra 19.2°E
Astra 19.2°E is the name for the group of communications satellites co-located at the 19.2°East orbital position in the Clarke Belt that are owned and operated by SES Astra, a subsidiary of SES based in Betzdorf, Luxembourg....
. It has more than 60,000 subscribers.
In December 2008, a French language satellite platform called TeleSat has launched via the Eutelsat Hot Bird satellite position at 13°E. It broadcasts in MPEG4/DVB-S2 in SD and consists of RTBF La Une, RTBF La Deux, RTL-TVi, Plug TV and Club RTL as well as a number of French language Belgian radio stations.
Both TV Vlaanderen and TeleSat are Belgian subsidiaries of the Airfield Holding, who also owns the Dutch DTH platform, CanalDigitaal.
Canal Digitaal, a Dutch subsidiary of the Airfield Holding broadcasts from both Astra 19.2°E
Astra 19.2°E
Astra 19.2°E is the name for the group of communications satellites co-located at the 19.2°East orbital position in the Clarke Belt that are owned and operated by SES Astra, a subsidiary of SES based in Betzdorf, Luxembourg....
and Astra
SES Astra
Astra is the name for the geostationary communication satellites, both individually and as a group, which are owned and operated by SES S.A., a global satellite operator based in Betzdorf, in eastern Luxembourg. The name is sometimes also used to describe the channels broadcasting from these...
's 23.5°E
Astra 23.5°E
Astra 23.5°E is the name for the group of communications satellites co-located at the 23.5° east position in the Clarke Belt owned and operated by SES Astra, a subsidiary of SES based in Betzdorf, Luxembourg...
position, which are available to the Flemish Dutch speaking market using a single dish with a Duo LNB
Duo LNB
A Duo LNB is a double low noise block-downconverter developed by SES Astra for the simultaneous reception of satellite television signals from both the Astra 23.5°E and Astra 19.2°E satellite positions....
(DVB-S).
VRT
Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep
The Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie , or VRT, is a publicly-funded broadcaster of radio and television in Flanders ....
and RTBF
RTBF
Radio Télévision Belge Francophone is the public broadcasting organization of the French Community of Belgium, the southern, French-speaking part of Belgium...
both have international channels on digital satellite (DVB-S
DVB-S
DVB-S is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting — Satellite; it is the original Digital Video Broadcasting forward error coding and demodulation standard for satellite television and dates from 1994, in its first release, while development lasted from 1993 to 1997...
) called BVN
BVN
BVN which is the abbreviation of Het beste van Vlaanderen en Nederland is a satellite and cable television channel – a joint venture by Radio Netherlands Worldwide , the Flemish and Dutch public broadcasting organizations Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep and Nederlandse Publieke Omroep ...
(as a cooperation between the Flemish VRT
Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep
The Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie , or VRT, is a publicly-funded broadcaster of radio and television in Flanders ....
and the Dutch NOS
Nederlandse Omroep Stichting
The Nederlandse Omroep Stichting , English: Netherlands Broadcasting Foundation, is one of the broadcasters in the Netherlands Public Broadcasting system...
) and TV5MONDE
TV5MONDE
TV5MONDE is a global television network, broadcasting several channels of French language programming. It is an approved participant member of the European Broadcasting Union.-History:...
.
(See also Euro1080
Euro1080
Euro1080 was the first commercial broadcaster in Europe to air full-time HDTV content. It was founded by Gabriel Fehervari in 2004 and is owned by Alfacam....
).
ADSL
BelgacomBelgacom
The Belgacom Group is the largest telecommunications company in Belgium, headquartered in Brussels. Belgacom Group is primarily state owned, with the Belgian state holding 53.3% + 1 share...
is offering digital television (IPTV
IPTV
Internet Protocol television is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats.IPTV services...
) via ADSL using its nationwide telephone network. Its offering has been extended with two optional bouquets: one providing movies and one selection for families, including cartoons, National Geographic, etc.
Other private companies provide a similar service, using the Belgacom telephone network.
Digital terrestrial
With the advent of mobile digital receivers (DVB-HDVB-H
DVB-H is one of three prevalent mobile TV formats. It is a technical specification for bringing broadcast services to mobile handsets. DVB-H was formally adopted as ETSI standard EN 302 304 in November 2004. The DVB-H specification can be downloaded from the official DVB-H website...
), Belgacom
Belgacom
The Belgacom Group is the largest telecommunications company in Belgium, headquartered in Brussels. Belgacom Group is primarily state owned, with the Belgian state holding 53.3% + 1 share...
is showing some interest in building a DVB-H network.