• Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Columns
    • Chris Dziadul
    • Julian Clover
    • Robert Briel
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

Briel on: HBO launches in the Netherlands

February 9, 2012 16.17 Europe/London By Robert Briel

The launch of HBO in the Netherlands in a joint venture with cable operator Ziggo marks an interesting move for the Time-Warner owned company. HBO has been active for many years in Central and Eastern Europe, while the broadcaster was only active as a seller of individual programme rights to local broadcasters in the Western part of the continent.

HBO’s entry into the Dutch market is well-timed and the cooperation with Ziggo, the country’s largest cable operator, makes perfect sense. The installed base of digital receivers is now well over 71% amongst Ziggo customers and the HBO brand is well-known, mainly for its TV series.

HBO Nederland enters the market with a well-thought of portfolio of products, three linear channels in both SD and HD, an S-VOD service and HBO GO, which brings the broadcaster’s programming to multiple screens including tablets. The channel also promises to bring all original HBO content within 24 hours to the Dutch screens – complete with Dutch subtitles – pre-empting pirated versions.

In addition to its own content, HBO also has rights to movies from Warner Bros, Sony Pictures and Disney (unconfirmed). In all, HBO Nederland brings a compelling offer to Dutch viewers with a €14.95 monthly price tag. The launch is promoted with a big campaign, focussed on HBO branded content, encompassing both print (newspapers, TV guides) and on-screen with spots running on multiple networks.

The big question now is if consumers will be willing to fork out the monthly subscription fee. Movie fans will no doubt already subscribe to HBO’s main Dutch competitor, Film1. The Chellomedia network boasts five channels, of which two are simulcast in HD.

Chellomedia has also introduced two new channel concepts, Film1 Series and Film1 Sundance in order to be better prepared to face the new competitor. However, the channel’s movie content has suffered with Warner and possibly Disney departing to HBO. Film1 still retains Universal, Paramount, Fox and Dreamworks as well as independent producers.

Meanwhile, the launch of HBO Nederland also brings the broadcaster its first premium window in the country. Until now, HBO programming was only sold to ‘free-to-air’ broadcasters, with premium reserved for physical carriers (DVD and Blu-ray boxed sets) and On Demand – on Ziggo only. With the launch of the linear channels, HBO is adding a new premium window for is product, with limited risk of losing the programmne sales to regular broadcasters (mainly Dutch public channels).

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Briel On, Columns Tagged With: Chellomedia, Film1, HBO, Ziggo Edited: 12 February 2012 13:07

About Robert Briel

Arnhem-based Robert covers the Benelux, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as IPTV, web TV, connected TV and OTT. Email Robert at rbriel@broadbandtvnews.com.

Latest News

  • Austrian music channel gotv to close
  • Two-thirds of UK homes can receive gigabit capable broadband
  • Sagemcom joins RDK technical advisory board
  • Sunrise drops UPC brand from Swiss market
  • Netflix invites kids to open Mystery Box

Watch Video

In Conversation: Smart Routers mean Smart Homes

In the first edition of In Conversation, Julian Clover discusses how smart routers are evolving to serve the smart home with Stuart Griffin, Founder & Technologist, Consult Red. … [Webinar Replay...]

Q & A

OTT Question Time – now in association with Broadband TV News

Kauser Kanji, MD of VOD Professional, introduces the industry forum OTT Question Time. … [Read More]

Columns

Chris Dziadul Reports: Focus on Romania

20 May 2022 By Chris Dziadul

Some of the biggest changes that have recently taken place in Romania’s telecom market have been on the M&A front. … [Read More...]

View more columns

Free Ebook

eBook: Overcoming the Top 5 Challenges in Server-side IP Ad insertion

IP video is a game-changer for advertising. However, unlike traditional television, IP video is more dynamic, with new devices, formats, content and services to consider. … [Download the eBook...]

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2022 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in