Despite Europe's low adoption rate of HDTV, Belgium's Belgacom is moving forward with the idea that consumer may buy in if enough content is offered. After launching HD IPTV services just this year, the provider is already up to 14 high-def stations, the latest of which is VTM HD. Others in the EPG include Discovery HD, Disney Cinemagic HD, Exqi, HD1, History HD, Melody Zen and Luxe TV HD, and interestingly enough, we're hearing that over half of all Belgacom subscribers are "able to view HD channels." Progress, we dig it.

Belgian broadcaster TV Vlaanderen was planning to axe Eén HD immediately following the Beijing Games, but it looks like the channel is off the chopping block, after viewers responded so enthusiastically it has decided to keep the channel on the air. Also noted is that everything on the channel is HD, even upscaled SD content, although we hope no TNT-style stretching is going on. Any other viewers noting channels added in a hurry for the Olympics rush sticking around?

Despite word from France Television's director of sports programming that HD wouldn't be available for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, France 2 HD has already launched on CanalSat DTH and Numéricable. Unlike the Versus broadcast here, French viewers are also getting the Tour de France in HD and can expect the same from their Olympic coverage. Meanwhile Belgians can thank TV Vlaanderen for adding VRT's Eén HD temporarily to its DTH platform, delivering both events in HD, along with Belgacom TV adding Eén HD, France 2 HD, Eurosport HD and TF1 HD for a total of 13 high definition channels. Really, we can't see watching the Olympics any other way.

Read - Belgacom TV
Read - France 2
Read - VRT Eén HD

In an approach that seems awfully familiar to many cable subscribers here in the US, Belgian cable provider Coditel has put its HD offerings into DTV baskets. Ah yes, the beauty of not-so á la carte tiers. Monthly prices seem fairly comparable to what we see as well: the starter package with five HD channels comes in at €14, adding in National Geographic HD and HD1 moves the price northward to €20 and for €7 you can get Disney Cinemagic HD. Add in the rental fee on the PVR cable box, and you get the picture -- this is no Freeview! From the reports we've seen, Europe is experiencing some problems with take-off. Is this a case of untapped market opportunity or a lack of a market? Overseas readers, let us know!

Disregard the fact that just 5-percent of HDTV owners in Europe actually bother to tune into HD programming -- Belgium's own Belgacom is looking to help its subscribers buck the trend. Starting on April 14th, the provider will begin offering HD VOD services (exact content choices have yet to be disclosed) along with seven unannounced high-def channels. Of note, customers looking to take advantage of the extra clarity will be dinged with a €50 "connection charge," and a snappy VDSL line will be required. Additionally, Belgacom plans on offering the Olympic Games in HD, and the services are being made available thanks to recent infrastructure upgrades to a fiber-to-the-node VDSL2 network. No word on how much the Nokia Siemens Networks-sourced set-top-boxes will run customers, but we'd say it's a pretty exciting win for HD-starved Belgians, regardless.