Watching programs (back) via NPO Start

Forgot to switch on the television for an episode of Bed & Breakfast or one of the many other programs of the public broadcasters? NPOStart.nl contains broadcasted programs from NPO 1, 2 and 3 and the digital channels. The broadcasters AVROTROS, BNNVARA, EO, Human, KRO-NCRV, MAX, NOS, NTR, PowNed, VPRO and WNL also offer their programs via this site. There is also an app. This article is about watching shows, documentaries and more via the NPO Start site.

NPO Start is free. But there are commercials. The NPO Plus service is free of advertising, but it costs 2.95 euros after a free trial month. Live television on NPO Plus can show advertising.

The free variant of NPO Start can be used with and without an account. Without an account, the site does not remember which programs you watch and you cannot create profiles (for example for the grandchildren). This is possible with a free account: create different viewing profiles, receive recommendations and continue watching programs that you have not completely watched.

Whether you want an account is up to you. It is in any case not necessary for average use of the site. You can read more about creating an account later in this article.

• Go to www.npostart.nl
• The home screen lists the most popular programs. At the very top, a fragment is highlighted with a large photo.
  • click on Watch now to watch this program.
  • Another page opens with the delivery. Click the play button (the triangle) in the middle of the photo to play the program.
  • Click on the NPO Start logo at the top left to return to the home page.
• Under the featured program are various sections, such as ‘Missed’, ‘Trending’, ‘Popular’ and a number of genres. Handy to scroll through. Of the other programs and fragments on the home page, there is a small photo with the name of the program next to it. The bottom right sometimes shows how long the program lasts, except for programs where an entire season is recommended.
• Is the program you want to watch listed?
  • Click on the picture.
  • A page opens with the episode or more information. Click the play button (the triangle) in the middle of the photo to play the program.
  • First comes advertising. The window shows how many commercials there are and a clock counts down until they are ready. The video will then play. You now have some options such as turn on subtitles. These options become visible when you hover over the video.

If the program you want to see is not on the home screen, you can of course also search the offer. That’s how it works:

• Click on the top right To search.
• Type a search term, for example the name of a program.
• Suggestions are already given as you type. Click on a suggestion or on All results. Or press the Enter key.
• An overview opens with the different episodes. Click on the episode you want to see.
• Another page opens with the relevant episode or more information. Click on the triangle in the middle of the photo to play the program.

The video will play and you will have the same options as described above.

You can search for a specific program via the menu option ‘Programs’ (above). This can be per period, genre or in alphabetical order. Per genre is of course useful if you do not know the title of a program, but you do know what it was about. A specific time period can help if you remember when the program aired.

Under the heading ‘Live’ you can directly watch NPO 1, 2 or 3 or listen to the radio stations of the NPO. Playing a live broadcast works the same as replaying a clip.

You can browse through the online program guide via the guide (top of the screen). By default you see the current programming, but the other days can be opened via the menus at the top right. The guide advances up to a week.

Registering for free gets a few advantages over anonymous users. Think of creating a profile for a child-safe environment, following favorite programs and personal recommendations based on viewing behavior. This is not about the paid option, that’s something else.

Register like this:

• Click on the top right login.
• Click behind ‘Don’t have an account yet?’ on Register.
• A new page opens. Enter your email address, agree to the terms and conditions and click Next one.
• Under ‘What may we call you?’ your name.
• Declare that you agree with the terms and conditions. Put a tick in front of I would like to receive the newsletter if you are interested in the newsletter. This is not mandatory.
• An email will be sent to the specified email address. Open your mail program and find the mail. It may end up in your Junk or Spam folder. Click in the email on the link behind ‘Set password’.
• A new page opens in the browser. Think of a strong password and enter it here twice.
• click on Next one.

Log in to your account at NPO Start.

• Click on the top right login.
• Enter your email address and the previously created password and click login.
• When using it for the first time, NPO Start asks if you want to add a user to your account. It can be useful to give your partner their own profile, for example if you both prefer to create their own playlist.
  • Don’t want this? click on To skip.
  • Do you want this? Click on the plus sign next to New profile and add someone.