The three main Dutch broadcasting groups have launched their common S-VOD portal, NLziet. Subscriptions cost €7.95 a month
During the first few weeks, NLziet is only available to people with an invite to take part in the beta phase, from July 1, the service will be available to anyone. The first month is free of charge.
The common S-VOD portal will compete against Netflix and RTL’s Videoland Unlimoted.
The new service offers unlimited access to the catch-up and preview services of the public broadcasters under the NPO umbrella and the offers of private broadcasters RTL and SBS. The platform launches with 2,750 TV series and programmes, translating into 29,002 episodes and totalling 12,024 hours of viewing.
“We have a wide variety of programmes, including documentaries, drama and reality, as well as current affairs, talk shows and films,” said Niels Baas, managing director of NLziet.
Initially, NLziet is only be available on tablets, PCs and Macs, but later in the year apps for smartphones and smart TVs will be introduced.
Although viewers pay a single subscription fee and enter a common portal, the play out of the requested streams will take place in each of the three online catch-up services of the broadcasters, NPO Plus, RTL XL or Kijk (from SBS).
Programmes will remain available up to 365 days after the first broadcast date and a number of programs will be made available as ‘previews’ up to sevens days ahead of the scheduled broadcast.
The catch-up TV service Uitzending Gemist from the public broadcasters will remain free of charge.
