Sweden’s Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT), which owns the broadcast rights to Formula 1 in the Netherlands, will launch its live streaming service Viaplay in our country on March 1. The first Formula 1 race of the new season is scheduled for March 20.
NENT confirms that Viaplay’s Formula 1 broadcasts will be broadcast on new linear TV channels from major Dutch providers. As a result, Viaplay subscribers do not have to stream photos online. This can save providers large amounts of traffic.
“We are launching a linear F1 channel in the Netherlands to ensure a smooth and easy customer delivery to Viaplay,” said a NENT spokesperson. “This is an additional way to enjoy exclusive F1 coverage. The channel focuses exclusively on Formula 1. All other Viaplay programming can always be found in our streaming app.”
Ziggo channel 200
NENT itself has not yet identified which providers it is interested in, but Ziggo has already announced the new channel. “During weekends, Formula 1 qualifications, competitions and studio programs are broadcast temporarily on Linear Channel 200,” said Zigo. “During the week and on weekends without races, there are reruns on this channel, among other things.”
The channel is only available to customers who purchase a Viaplay subscription via Ziggo and who have a Media Box or CI + Module.
KPN 225 . channel
KPN says the channel opened up too early for customers in the testing phase today. “This is what should have happened after Channel 225 was blocked again,” a spokesperson said. KPN says it is in talks with Viaplay “to look at different ways to provide our customers with the best possible content”.
Delta and Kauai will also offer Viaplay. According to a spokesperson, T-Mobile is still in talks with Viaplay about the “best possible experience,” including a “potential linear TV channel.”
Contest
The popularity of Formula 1 has led to competition between Dutch service providers. Ziggo, KPN, and T-Mobile give their customers a discount on Viaplay for the first few months. KPN offers the service temporarily free of charge to new customers who switch to the company.
NOS also broadcasts the Zandvoort Grand Prix live. Four F1 races can be watched on German RTL next season: Zandvoort, Imola (Italy), Silverstone (UK) and Interlagos (Brazil).
apps
Ziggo will also offer Viaplay from March 1 via its own app Next media box† KPN is currently working on the Viaplay app for its Experia Box. The streaming service itself also has apps for Smart TV, Chromecast, and mobile devices.
In addition to Viaplay, the live broadcast of Formula 1 can also be watched on F1 TV Prothe F1 broadcast service.
