Belgian Digital TV Provider Evolves Platform
Proximus Pickx, a subsidiary of the Belgacom Group, delivers Digital TV (IPTV) services to Belgian households via its own platform. Originally launched in the summer of 2005 as Belgacom TV, the service has undergone rebranding and technological advancements to meet growing demand for high-definition content.
The initial distribution of Proximus TV relied on ADSL technology, which was later upgraded to ADSL2+. More recently, the company has implemented the Broadway Project, introducing fiber optic connections to street cabinets and VDSL2 technology to homes. This infrastructure upgrade has enabled the delivery of high-definition television through MPEG-4 AVC compression.
According to data from December 2008, Proximus TV coverage reached 86.6% of Belgian households, with High Definition TV available to 64%. By the end of March 2013, the service had amassed 1,412,000 subscribers, including those utilizing “dual stream” options. The customer base counted 1,288,000 TV households by the end of 2014, representing 1,593,000 subscriptions when accounting for multiple set-top boxes.
In September 2014, Belgacom TV officially became Proximus Pickx. The company initially gained attention in May 2005 when it acquired broadcasting rights for the Jupiler Pro League, establishing Pickx Sports to broadcast these events and attract new subscribers. This move demonstrates the strategic importance of content acquisition in the competitive landscape of digital television.
