bvn.tv
I know all too well how frustrating and discouraging it can be sorting through hundreds of terrible, spammy free live TV streaming sites. I've tried them all and I just can't seem to find one that is actually halfway decent.
If this is the case and you speak Dutch and/or Flemish, well, I may just have the solution to your free TV problem. Allow me to introduce you to BVN TV, one of the best free live TV streaming sites that I have come across in quite some time. I love it when I stumble upon a streaming site like this one - a free live TV streaming site that comes from a trusted brand, offers a great user experience, and allows users to stream hour after hour of free live TV, no questions asked. BVN TV, at least at first glance, seems to have all of the tools necessary to become one of my new favorite free live TV streaming sites.
Although some people may prefer free live TV streaming services that offer a broader range of different channels, BVN TV is perfect for fans of the BVN channel. That being said, this free TV streaming site only grants its users access to content from the BVN channel (there are no lumped-in additional channels or premium upgrades that offer extra content, as far as I can tell). One strength to this, though, is the fact that, with BVN TV, at least you know exactly what you're going to get. I don't know about you, but I appreciate a straightforward and honest streaming service - it is what it is, no extra bells and whistles necessary.
With BVN TV, you can choose to watch whatever program is currently airing live, or you can access past content by streaming it on-demand. No matter how you want to watch, BVN provides a variety of options.
So, is BVN TV the best free live TV streaming site for you? Well, to be honest, there really isn't any definitive answer to that question. However, by doing a little research on this streamer, you should be able to get a pretty good idea of whether or not it's the right fit for you. So if you're curious about what this site has to offer, feel free to follow me along on my tour. Without further ado, let's take a look at BVN TV!
History
BVN was founded as a TV channel in 1996 as Zomer TV. At first, the programming aired from the Netherlands only. However, when Zomer TV became BVN, the acronym stood for 'the best of the Netherlands.' Once Flemish Belgium began contributing financially to the network, though, it became known as 'the Best of Flanders and the Netherlands.'
Between 1996 and 2007, BVN (formerly Zomer TV) aired an 8-hour block of programming each day. In March 2007, though, BVN switched to two 12-hour blocks in order to accommodate a growing roster of popular shows (such as Der Wereld Draait Door).
This morning, of course, users can tune into BVN for their regularly scheduled programming, or by streaming their favorite shows on-demand thanks to BVN?s formidable free live TV streaming service.
Design
BVN TV has opted for a very minimalist interface. It is somewhat sparse when compared to popular TV streaming sites like Netflix. I think a good word to describe it would be classy. It has a very professional, modern look without trying to cram too much content onto each page. If you have spent some time with other free live TV streaming sites, then you know well how hard it can be to find one that offers a good site build. BVN TV is straight-forward, simple, and easy to use.
To be honest, it doesn't look entirely different from most other streaming sites that you may have used (such as Netflix or Hulu). The core of BVN TV's design is, more or less, an emulation of the industry standard. At the top of the home page, for instance, you will be greeted by a site menu bar overtop of a large banner that carousels various featured programming. See what I mean? Simple, easy, effective. That is the BVN way.
The site menu bar on BVN TV is very useful. This, I would say, is where the design of BVN TV begins to depart with other big streamers. It is surprisingly rare that a TV streaming site's menu bar is actually useful (usually it just offers yet another way to browse by genre or category). On BVN TV, though, users can quickly and conveniently jump to each section of the site that they care about: Live, Missed, Guide, and Programs. There are many factors involved in great site design, but convenient browsing is at the top of the list for me.
Below the site menu and featured banner on the website, I found a free live TV streaming site that is more or less typical. You will find a series of horizontal menus, each with a side-scrolling function, organized by content type. Browse by Latest News, Informative, Drama, Documentary, game & quiz, and so on.
Content and Features
BVN TV allows users to stream live TV for free. This is the definite highlight of this site. However, a free live TV streaming site that does not also come equipped with the ability to stream TV on-demand is not worth much. You can't be sitting at your computer all day, every day, right? Naturally, you are going to miss programs. The best free live TV streaming sites on the web understand this and enable you to watch TV on your own schedule.
There aren't a lot of unique features to brag about on BVN TV, compared to other free live TV streaming sites. Whereas other sites may let you add programs to your watch list, rate TV series and episodes, leave comments, etc., BVN TV's list of features is relatively slim. Outside of tuning in to live TV broadcasts and catching up on shows you missed, there isn't much else that can be done here.
Mobile and Desktop Experience
The good news is that BVN TV does offer a fairly decent mobile app too! Available for both Android and iOS devices, the app is called BVN Live. Now you never have to miss out on your favorite BVN shows. And if you do, well, that's what the TV catchup, on-demand programming is for. With an average rating of 3.8 on Google Play, this might not be the best TV streaming app on the market, but it is far from the worst. Plus, when you consider the fact that free live TV streaming sites hardly ever have mobile apps at all, BVN Live starts to look like an excellent choice for streaming live TV for free on your mobile phone.
Suggestions that I have for BVN TV
I think that BVN TV needs to update their servers and provide a better mobile streaming platform. Some users have complained about the app's functionality, playback, and streaming quality. I agree - BVN TV needs to update their servers and provide a smoother, higher quality mobile streaming platform. Sometimes the desktop site had buffering and low-resolution issues for me as well.
I think that the obvious solution would be for BVN to make their free live TV streaming site into a freemium situation. By offering additional exclusive content and perks to premium members, BVN could begin generating more funding. This would result in, theoretically, the ability to provide better streams on more reliable servers and a higher-performing mobile app.