Dutch cable operator UPC has started distribution of HbbTV with the three main public NPO channels.
The interactive service is now available to all UPC customers on Nederland 1, Nederland 2 and Nederland 3, but can only be accessed when the customer receives the DVB-C signal directly on its TV set rather than via the Horizon set-top box or UPC Mediabox.
For the moment, UPC only distributes the HbbTV signalling on the NPO channels, not on the SBS channels or on the international channels carrying HbbTV such as TVE, ARD, ZDF, RTL Deutschland or ProSieben and Sat.1.
The NPO service gives access to an extensive EPG, and tot he catch-up TV service Uitzending Gemist, looking back seven days, the EPG and live streams of the national radio stations. There is also a HbbTV app for the NOS newscasts, which offers additional videos on-demand.
UPC introduced HbbTV without any announcement and both Ziggo and KPN continue to block HbbTV on their networks.
