In Belgium, you get a "free" Plilips settop box from Canal Plus
PLAYERS GOING AND COMING IN BELGIUM
In Belgium, the most significant development is the launch in the last two months of digital cable packages. Three multiplexed versions of Canal Plus Belgique have been available on some Wallonian cable networks since the beginning of March and last month the CanalDigitaal bouquet was launched in Flanders. The latter contains 10 thematic channels - Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, CNBC, Discovery, Fashion, Hallmark, Adult, TNT, Travel and VH-1 (as well as a limited selection of Music Choice channels) - in its basic package for BFr1,495, with three multiplexed versions of Canal Plus' Flemish version offered as a premium service on top along with the complete MC Europe package of 50 digital audio channels. The price includes rental of the Philips set top box. A Canal Plus spokesman said the service had a reach of about 70 per cent of cable households in Flanders.
The Belgian multi-channel universe largely has yet to take off, though several media players have started looking to make in-roads. Last April, French digital satellite platform Television Par Satellite pointed to Belgium as its next stop, with Patrick Le Lay, TPS' president/director general calling Belgium "very interesting." |
