All TV Everywhere platforms, including KPN, Ziggo and Delta, that are active in the Netherlands are now gearing up to put an end of geo-blocking on their streaming services.
Under new European legislation, starting this spring, paying subscribers to streaming platforms can access these services while away on holiday or business travel. However, it remains illegal to take out a subscription for expats who live outside their country.
In the Netherlands, the biggest providers have now confirmed subscribers can now access the streaming live channels on their TV Everywhere apps will be available outside the country, within Europe.
Ziggo subscribers will now be able to access the Ziggo Go app, while KPN customers can use their Interactieve TV app. Dutch association NLConnect said that its members Delta and Youfone will terminate geo-blocking on March 21.
Last November, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission reached a political agreement to end unjustified geo-blocking for consumers wishing to buy products or services online within the EU, and the introduction of cross-border portability for online subscriptions.
However, subscribers to online services such as Netflix, Amazon or Spotify, are exempt from the new rules. But, for most services people can access the local version, e.g. if a Dutch Netflix subscriber accesses his account in Germany, he or she will see the German offer of Netflix.
EU citizens can use premium online services while in another EU country for holidays, studies or business, after the European Parliament approved measures allowing portability of online content.
