US television group Fox to move into the Netherlands

US broadcasting company Fox is planning to launch a new television station in the Netherlands in August, showing films, series and sport, Nos television reports.

Nos bases its claims on sources at Dutch football clubs and cable companies. Fox, owned by media magnate Rupert Murdoch, bought a 51% stake in Dutch football channel Eredivise Live last year and owns Dutch football broadcasting rights.

The rights were sold to Murdoch on condition that football highlights remain accessible to a non-fee paying public. This prompted speculation at the time that Fox may launch in the Netherlands. Nos currently has the contract to broadcast football highlights but that expires in 2014.

Cable firms

According to the Dutch broadcaster, Fox is still in negotiations with the cable companies who will have to include the new station in their programming packages.

Meanwhile, the Financieele Dagblad reports that online video service Netflix is also about to begin a Dutch service.

The paper says competitors Pathe Nederland and HBO have been told by various sources that Netflix is on its way and plans a September launch.

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