The Dutch cable operator CAIW will be the first in The Netherlands to start to carry the national version of BBC HD on its network, starting November 30. The number of HD channels on the system is quickly expanding, with recent announcements of the addition of Net 5 HD and Eurosport HD.
At the moment, CAI offers five HD channels in its basic digital bouquet, public broadcasters Nederland 1, 2 and 3 and Eurosport HD and Myzen.tv HD. An extended HD tier is available for €9.95 a month, which includes Discovery HD, National Geographic HD, History HD, HD3, Brava HDTV, Sundance Channel HD, Fashion TV HD, MTVN HD and Rush HD. The addition of Animal Planet HD and MGM HD has already been announced. Film HD and Sport1 HD are available for premium subscribers.
At the moment, the BBC is talking to all major operators in The Netherlands about the possible distribution of the national version of BBC HD. So far, no announcements have been made, making CAIW the first cabler to pick up the channel.
In Belgium, the channel is available on both Telenet and Belgacom TV.