XITE (pronounced "excite") is a Dutch interactive music video platform founded in the Netherlands. The service operates linear and interactive television networks, and on-demand streaming services.
XITE-branded services are currently available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. In the U.S., Xite is available via Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku; as well as Comcast Xfinity and some Samsung TVs.[1] Since December 2015, XITE's interactive TV app has been available on Ziggo in the Netherlands, and Ooredoo in Qatar.[2]
XITE was founded by entrepreneur Derk Nijssen in the late aughts. The company invested in the channel by technology start-up fund Henq Innovation Fund 1, United Broadcast Facilities (UBF) and Rebel Technologies (a joint venture between UBF and XITE for interactive applications in video on-demand). Base7 was used as the working name for the start of the Base7 transmitter. The home base was initially located in Rotterdam.
The station started broadcasting in 2008 via the digital packages from UPC and Caiway. At UPC, XITE replaced Paramount's canceled music channel TMF Nederland. As with the canceled music channel The Box, viewers could request video clips by phone (0900 number or text message) by means of a clip code. In September 2009, XITE came up with an on-demand system via the red button on the remote control. Since then, the viewer has been able to request clips in this way and he has been able to compile playlists by genre and view specials and interviews.
In February 2011, XITE started broadcasting in Belgium via the basic package of Telenet. XITE started broadcasting in Germany in September 2014. In 2016, the Personalized Music Television service was launched via Ooredoo in Qatar. In the same year, a 4K channel was offered via KPN, where music videos were shown in Ultra-HD. From May 2017, XITE 4K is also available in Canada.
On 1 April 2019, Xite launched a digital music pay radio service on Ziggo in the Netherlands. It is a service that broadcast continuous streaming music and other forms of audio on multiple channel feeds. Xite Music replaced Stingray Music on Ziggo.[3]
XITE mainly broadcasts music video clips, sometimes following a particular genre or theme. XITE also devotes attention to music-related topics, along with interviews, club and festival reports.
Since 2013, XITE has been organising the XITE Awards every year. In addition to performances, awards are presented during the show for both best and most popular songs, artists, upcoming talent and an award for best music video of the year.[citation needed]
