Big news for streaming and entertainment in the Netherlands
There is major news in the Dutch media world this week. The streaming service Videoland is taking over the Dutch branch of Viaplay. This is a significant step for Videoland, which is greatly expanding its offering as a result. Through the acquisition, Videoland also gains the rights to various sports, which is good news for fans of live sports.
Parent company DPG Media states that this acquisition aligns with their ambition to make Videoland the largest Dutch streaming platform. Viaplay is primarily known for broadcasting Formula 1 and international football. It is not yet known exactly what the acquisition means for current subscription prices, but the selection for viewers will, in any case, become much larger.
It is not only Videoland that is changing; Netflix is also introducing new rules for its users. In the Netherlands and Belgium, customers must now set up a unique email address for each profile. The streaming service likely wants to make sharing accounts outside of a single household more difficult in this way. Users must therefore take this new technical requirement into account.
There is also plenty to experience in cinemas and theaters. The new film 'The Odyssey' by the well-known director Christopher Nolan has received a 16+ rating in the Netherlands. This means that younger viewers are not allowed to see the film in the cinema. Meanwhile, the theater show 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' by Stage Entertainment is receiving very positive reactions. The show lasts three hours and is described by critics as a magical experience.
Finally, there are international stars in the country this week. Actors Tom Holland and Zendaya visited the Netherlands for a special promotion of the new Spider-Man film. Singer Bruno Mars is also in Amsterdam for his concerts at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. With hits like '24K Magic' and 'Uptown Funk', he is creating a huge party for his Dutch fans.