Dutch cable operator Kabel Noord is to test interactive television with Media Mall on a few dozen of their 25,000 subscribers in the northeastern part of the province of Friesland. The experiment will couple a dedicated set-top box that will combine regular analogue and digital television from the operator with broadband internet services to the TV set.
The hybrid service allows for an EPG which overlays the regular cable television signals. It will also offer various streaming video channels to be viewed on the television set. Video-on-demand will also be available. Viewers can also contribute their own video clips and can even launch their own channel. Also, other functionality includes the ability to chat with friends through the TV scre.
Media Mall is joint Venture between Stream Group Limburg and KPN; currently small scale deployments are under way in the cities of Sittard-Geleen, Roermond and Enschede.
