Television in the Netherlands
Television in the Netherlands was introduced in 1951. In the Netherlands, the television market is divided between a number of commercial networks, such as RTL Nederland, and a system of public broadcasters sharing three channels, NPO 1, NPO 2, and NPO 3. Imported programmes (except those for children), as well as news interviews with responses in a foreign language, are almost always shown in their original language, with subtitles.[1]
Reception
In the Netherlands, television can be watched analog or digital (the latter with the option of HDTV or 3D). Over 2013, 78.3% of Dutch viewers received television digitally.[2] Watching analogue television can only be done via most cable operators and some Fiber to the home providers, since the Dutch government ended reception via airwaves in 2006. Watching digital television is possible through a variety of ways, the most common being:
- Digital television over cable (in most cases through a Set-top box box with a smart card or through a Conditional-access module).
- Ziggo is the major suppliers of cable television in the Netherlands.
- Satellite television
- CanalDigitaal is the only satellite provider.
- Digital terrestrial television
- KPN Digitenne is the only terrestrial provider.
- Internet television (IPTV)
- Fiber to the home
- KPN is the major operator of FTTH with its subsidiaries KPN Glasvezel, Glashart and Reggefiber.
Which television channels can be received is heavily dependent on the operator and in most cases also the channel package that is paid for. However, there is a small selection of channels that every operator must carry. For 2014, these are the following channels:[3]
- NPO 1
- NPO 2
- NPO 3
- Eén (Flanders (Belgium))
- Canvas (Flanders (Belgium))
- Ketnet (Flanders (Belgium))
- Regional (provincial) broadcasters (when available)
- Local broadcaster (when available)
Public channels
The Netherlands has three nationwide channels for publicly funded television (NPO). These channels can only make a fixed maximum amount of money from commercials. These commercials never interrupt broadcasts, and are only shown in between shows. The broadcasting organisations that use these channels are basically representative of the Dutch society. Every broadcasting company has members and the number of members gives them a status that is connected to the number of hours of broadcasting. If you are planning to 'go public' on Dutch television you need to have 50.000 members and something new to add to the existing broadcasting conglomerate. Granting or refusal of entry is decided politically on the guidance of public opinion.
In 2005 there was a sharp political debate over government plans to cut funding to public broadcasters and to abolish statutory broadcaster NPS.
National
The three national television channels are:
Thematic
The eight digital television channels that are provided by the Nederlandse Publieke Omroep organisation, are:
International
There is also an international public channel:
- BVN, shared with Belgium's publicly funded Flemish television channel VRT. It shows the best of Dutch and Flemish public television, specifically for Dutch and Flemish viewers abroad.
Regional
Most regions and provinces have their own television channel as well. These also receive government funding:
- AT5 (Greater Amsterdam)
- Omrop Fryslân (Friesland)
- RTV Noord (Groningen)
- RTV Drenthe (Drenthe)
- RTV Oost (Overijssel)
- Omroep Flevoland (Flevoland)
- TV Gelderland (Gelderland)
- RTV Utrecht (Utrecht)
- TV Noord-Holland (North Holland)
- RTV Rijnmond (Rotterdam)
- TV West (South Holland)
- L1 Televisie (Limburg)
- Omroep Brabant TV (North Brabant)
- Omroep Zeeland (Zeeland)
Commercial channels
National
- RTL Nederland (RTL Group):
- SBS Broadcasting (Sanoma / Talpa Media Holding):
Thematic and Premium
- RTL Nederland (RTL Group)
- Talpa Media Holding
- Viacom International Media Networks Northern Europe
- Comedy Central (SD and HD), Dutch version, mostly subtitled
- Comedy Central Family, original Dutch programs and subtitled English content
- Comedy Central Extra, Dutch version, mostly subtitled
- MTV (SD and HD), original Dutch programs and subtitled English content
- MTV Brand New, Dutch version
- MTV Live HD
- MTV Music 24, non-stop music video clips
- Nickelodeon (SD and HD), Dutch version, mixture of original Dutch content and subtitled or dubbed international programs
- Nick Jr., optional original English audio or Dubbed in Dutch
- Nick Toons, Dutch version
- Nick Hits, Dutch version
- Spike (SD and HD), Dutch version
- VH1 Europe
- VH1 Classic Europe
- Sony Pictures Television
- Film1 Premiere (SD and HD)
- Film1 Action (SD and HD)
- Film1 Spotlight (SD and HD)
- Film1 Comedy & Kids (SD and HD)
- Film1 Sundance Channel
- Ziggo (Liberty Global)
- Ziggo Sport
- Ziggo Sport Select (SD and HD)
- Ziggo Sport Voetbal (SD and HD)
- Ziggo Sport Golf
- Ziggo Sport Racing
- Ziggo Sport Extra 1
- Ziggo Sport Extra 2
- AMC Networks International
- AMC Networks International Zone
- CBS Reality, joint venture with CBS, subtitled.
- Extreme Sports Channel
- JimJam, Dutch or English versions available
- AMC, Dutch version, but mostly subtitled
- Outdoor Channel, joint venture with Outdoor Channel Holdings Inc.
- ShortsTV, joint venture with Shorts International, subtitled
- AMC Networks International Zone
- Universal Networks International (NBCUniversal)
- Syfy (SD and HD), Dutch version, but mostly subtitled
- 13th Street (SD and HD), Dutch version, but mostly subtitled
- E! (SD and HD), subtitled
- Style Network
- CNBC Europe, English only
- Fox International Channels Benelux (21st Century Fox)
- Fox (SD and HD) (through Eredivisie Media & Marketing CV)
- National Geographic Channel (SD and HD), Dutch version, but mostly subtitled
- Nat Geo Wild , Dutch (SD and HD), but mostly subtitled
- Fox Life (SD and HD), Dutch version, but mostly subtitled
- 24Kitchen (SD and HD)
- Fox Sports Eredivisie (SD and HD), 3 pay-TV channels (through Eredivisie Media & Marketing CV)
- Fox Sports International (SD and HD), 3 pay-TV channels (through Eredivisie Media & Marketing CV)
- BabyTV (distributed by Fox International Channels)
- Sky News (distributed by Fox International Channels)
- Discovery Networks Benelux/Discovery Networks Western Europe (Discovery Communications)
- Animal Planet (SD and HD), Dutch version, but mostly subtitled.
- Discovery Channel (SD and HD), Dutch version, but mostly subtitled
- Discovery Science, subtitled
- Discovery World, subtitled
- Eurosport 1 (SD and HD), International channel with optional English or Dutch commentary
- Eurosport 2 (SD and HD), International channel with optional English or Dutch commentary
- Investigation Discovery, subtitled
- TLC (SD and HD), Dutch version, but mostly subtitled.
- The Walt Disney Company
- A+E Networks UK (joint venture with BSkyB)
- History (SD and HD), Dutch version, but mostly subtitled.
- Crime & Investigation Network
- Disney-ABC Television Group
- Disney XD (SD and HD), Formerly known as Jetix. Dutch version, mixture of original Dutch content and subtitled or dubbed international programs.
- Disney Channel (SD and HD), Dutch version, mixture of original Dutch content and subtitled or dubbed international programs.
- Disney Junior, Dutch version, mixture of original Dutch content and subtitled or dubbed international programs.
- A+E Networks UK (joint venture with BSkyB)
- Time Warner
- Turner Broadcasting System Europe
- Cartoon Network, optional original English audio or Dubbed in Dutch
- Boomerang, subtitled or dubbed
- CNN International
- HBO Netherlands (joint venture with Ziggo)
- Turner Broadcasting System Europe
- Stingray Digital
- TV Digitaal BV/Strengholt BV
- SchlagerTV
- TV Oranje (fully owned by TV Digitaal BV)
- Motors TV S.A.
- Motors TV, International channel with optional English or Dutch commentary
- Eredivisie CV
- Ajax TV, interactive Video-on-demand channel
- Scripps Networks Interactive
- Fine Living Network (SD and HD)
- Food Network (SD and HD)
- Travel Channel (SD and HD), subtitled
Other
The following (international) commercial channels broadcast localized versions of their programs:
- ONS (TV channel), Dutch Nostalgia Channel
- Family 7, conservative Christian channel
- OutTV, gay lifestyle
- Pebble TV, Dutch Children's Channel
- Xite, Dutch Music Channel
- 192TV
- Goed TV, Dutch channel about charities
- EU1, interactive channel
Cable and satellite
Many cable and satellite providers also broadcast 'domestic television' networks free; that is to say they are provided as part of the basic subscription to the cable or satellite service. Other 'domestic' channels may be received as part of extended packages. Many basic subscriptions include:
- BBC One (UK)
- BBC Two (UK)
- BBC Three (UK)
- BBC Four (UK)
- BBC First (UK)
- CBBC (UK)
- Cbeebies (UK)
- BBC Entertainment
- BBC World News
- één (Flanders)
- Canvas (Flanders)
- Ketnet (Flanders)
- Das Erste (Germany)
- ZDF (Germany)
- WDR Fernsehen (Germany)
- NDR Fernsehen (Germany)
- RTL (Germany)
- Sat.1 (Germany)
- 3sat (Germany)
- Arte
- Mediaset Italia (Italy)
- Rai Uno (Italy)
- TVE Internacional (Spain)
- TRT Türk (Turkey)
- TV5 Monde Europe
- Mezzo
- Euronews
- Al Jazeera English
- CCTV News
- Body In Balance
High-definition
In the Netherlands customers can receive high-definition television channels by cable or satellite. There is no terrestrial HD service available nor planned. The first trials with high-definition television in the Netherlands began in 2006 with the broadcast of the 2006 World Cup in HD. After the trial the larger cable companies continued a HD service with a small number of channels as National Geographic Channel HD, Discovery HD Showcase, History HD, Film1 HD and Sport1 HD But because no Dutch network had made the move to HD, already broadcast in widescreen and the quality of the standard-definition PAL signal was good enough for most people, demand was low.
Since the 2006 trials none of the main Dutch networks made the move to HD. This changed in the summer of 2008 when from June 1, 2008, until August 24, 2008, the Netherlands Public Broadcasting (NPO) organisations made their primary channel, NPO 1 temporary available in HD. This made it possible to broadcast Euro 2008, the 2008 Tour de France, and the 2008 Summer Olympics in HD and additionally allowed them to test their systems before the scheduled launch of their permanent HD service in early 2009. The NPO planned to launch their permanent HD service with HD versions of their three channels NPO 1, NPO 2, and NPO 3. Most of the programming in the early stages will consists of upscaled material from their parent channels as in time more programs will become available in HD.[5] Technicolor Netherlands, the company responsible for the technical realisation of the broadcasts of the NPOs television and radio channels, began the summer 2008 test broadcast of NPO 1 HD in 720p/50 as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) recommends. During the test period an additional 1080i/25 version of the channel was made available to the cable companies because of quality complaints from viewers. No information has been made available what the format of the permanent HD service from the NPO will be.
The commercial broadcasting organization in the Netherlands the SBS Broadcasting Group (NET 5, SBS 6, Veronica) and the channels of RTL Nederland are currently available in HD via cable and satellite.
This is a non comprehensive list of HD channels available in the Netherlands.
- NPO 1 HD
- NPO 2 HD
- NPO 3 HD
- RTL 4 HD
- RTL 5 HD
- RTL 7 HD
- RTL 8 HD
- RTL Z HD
- SBS 6 HD
- NET5 HD
- Veronica HD
- SBS 9 HD
- Fox HD
- Discovery Channel HD
- Animal Planet HD
- TLC HD
- Eurosport HD
- Eurosport 2 HD
- Film1 Premiere HD
- Film1 Action HD
- Film1 Comedy & Kids HD
- Film1 Spotlight HD
- HBO HD
- HBO 2 HD
- HBO 3 HD
- History HD
- National Geographic Channel HD
- Nat Geo Wild HD
- Sport1 Select HD
- Sport1 Voetbal HD
- Fox Sports 1 Eredivisie HD
- Fox Sports 2 HD
- Fox Sports 3 Eredivisie HD
- Fox Sports 4 HD
- Fox Sports 5 Eredivisie HD
- Fox Sports 6 HD
- FOXlife HD
- 24Kitchen HD
- Nat Geo Wild HD
- 13th Street HD
- Syfy HD
- Food Network HD
- Travel Channel HD
- BravaHD
- MTV Live HD
- MTV HD
- Comedy Central HD
- Nickelodeon HD
- Spike HD
- myZen.tv HD
- Fashion TV HD
- E! HD
- Disney Channel HD
- Disney XD HD
Also available on many platforms:
- BBC One HD
- BBC Two HD
- VRT één HD
- VRT Canvas HD
- Das Erste HD
- ZDF HD
- Arte HD
Satellite viewers can receive a number of additional HD channels from the surrounding countries when broadcasting free-to-air. But these channels are not part of HD services offered in the Netherlands nor broadcast programming aimed at the Dutch market.
Defunct or rebranded channels
- The Box (1995 - 30 April 2007), replaced by Comedy Central (Netherlands) (30 April 2007 – present)
- Consumenten 24 (formerly Consumenten TV)
- Euro 7 (19 October 1994 - 28 March 1997)
- Fox Kids (2 August 1997 - 12 February 2005), rebranded by Jetix (13 February 2005 - 31 December 2009) followed by Disney XD (1 January 2010 – present)
- Geschiedenis 24 (formerly Geschiedenis)
- Het Gesprek (2 October 2007 - 21 August 2010)
- Kindernet (1 March 1998 - 2003, 4 April 2011 - 1 November 2013)
- RTL Véronique (2 October 1989 - 17 September 1990), rebranded by RTL 4 (18 September 1990 – present)
- Spirit 24 (formerly Geloven)
- Sport 7 (18 August 1996 - 8 December 1996)
- Sterren 24 (formerly Sterren.nl)
- Talpa (13 August 2005 - 15 December 2005), rebranded by Tien (16 December 2005 - 17 August 2007) followed by RTL 8 (18 August 2007 – present)
- TV10 (never launched due to license problems, 1989)
- TV10 Gold (1 May 1995 - 31 January 1996), rebranded a couple of times afterwards. First by TV10 (1 February 1996 - 18 December 1998) followed by FOX (19 December 1998 - August 1999), Fox 8 (September 1999 - 30 April 2001), V8 (1 May 2001 - 19 September 2003) and finally by Veronica (20 September 2003 – present)
- Vesta TV (October 1995 - July 1996)
- Yorin (2 April 2001 - 11 August 2005), rebranded by RTL 7 (12 August 2005 – present)
Television in other languages
To serve those who have another native language than Dutch, there are few television channels in the Netherlands broadcasting in one of the regional languages of The Netherlands. Those broadcasting in English usually target an international audience as well. Most of these channels broadcast through the internet only or have a very limited broadcasting area, with Omrop Fryslân as most notable exception. These channels are:
- Omrop Fryslân (Frisian), public access regional broadcaster in the province of Friesland
- Froeks.tv (Frisian), web-only channel for Friesland
- Radio Netherlands Worldwide (English), produces vodcasts on their website in English
- ThreeNL (English), reruns of Dutch public access programmes either English subtitled or dubbed
- AF-TV (English), available in The Hague and online, targeting Africans in The Netherlands
- NOS-TV (Papiamento), available on Bonaire and online; local Bonaire TV station.
- RTV7 (Papiamentu, English), available on Ziggo, XS4ALL and KPN. Rebroadcast of Antillian TV Channels in the Netherlands
Timeline
See also
- Digital television in the Netherlands
- History of Dutch television
- Lists of television channels
- List of cable companies in the Netherlands
References
- ↑ Television, Satellite & Radio Stations in the Netherlands
- ↑ Stichting Kijkonderzoek. "Television in the Netherlands, 2013" (PDF). Stichting KijkOnderzoek. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
- ↑ Kabelraad. "Nieuwe Mediawet". Retrieved 7 April 2014.
- ↑ Jarco Kriek (July 24, 2012). "Ziggo heeft exclusieve primeur RTL Telekids" (in Dutch). Totaal TV.
- ↑ Paulo Lopes (2008-05-19). "Nederland 1, 2 en 3 in 2009 deels in HDTV". Marketingfacts (in Dutch). Retrieved 2009-10-21.
External links
- http://gids.omroep.nl (in Dutch) shows programming of Dutch and other stations of surrounding countries
- http://www.uitzendinggemist.nl (in Dutch) Web site archive of internet-streaming TV programs from the Netherlands
- Dutch public access programmes in English to be watched on YouTube
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