Belgian IPTV provider Belgacom TV is dropping distribution of German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF citing high carriage fees.
The operator said the broadcasters are looking to receive €1 million for distribution of their channels over the network. According to local reports, Belgacom was willing to pay up to €500,000, but the bid was rejected by the Germans.
Belgacom will now start to carry the German RTL channel from February 18, the day when it switches off ARD and ZDF. Belgacom also carries Begian German language broadcaster BRF, which serves the German-speaking parts in the East of the country.