Television in the Netherlands was officially 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, as well as news interviews with responses in a foreign language, are almost always shown in their original language, with subtitles.
NPO 1 is the first national television station in the Netherlands. It launched on 2 October 1951. It provides public broadcasting and currently exists next to sister channels NPO 2 and NPO 3. A wide range of broadcasting organisations of the Publieke Omroep deliver programs. A wide variety of programs is broadcast on the channel, usually for larger audiences. In 2018, it was the most viewed channel in the Netherlands, reaching a market share of 22.0%.
NPO 3 is the third and youngest of the terrestrial television channels operated by the Dutch public-broadcasting organization NPO in the Netherlands and carries programmes provided by member-based non-profit broadcasting associations. It is oriented towards children, youth and innovative television.
NPO 2 is a Dutch television channel, sister channel of NPO 1 and NPO 3. It was established on 1 October 1964 at 20:00, initially with a 2.5 hours schedule until 22:30.
NPO Zapp is the Dutch children's block from the NPO on NPO 3 that launched as Z@pp on 4 September 2005. Since September 2005, Zappelin has been the name of a block for young children. The @ in the name of the channel was removed on 10 September 2012. On 12 March 2013, the NPO announced that Zapp and Zappelin would be renamed as NPO Zapp and NPO Zappelin. The reason for this change is to make the channels and its programmes more recognizable. The rebranding completed on 19 August 2014. Together with NPO Zappelin it forms a channel called NPO Zappelin Xtra, available online and part of bonus packages.
13th Street is a television channel specializing in action, suspense and police procedural programs and movies. It is owned by NBCUniversal and was launched in France on 13 November 1997, later followed by Germany on 1 May 1998, Spain in 1999 and the Netherlands on 30 May 2007.
NPO Zappelin is a Dutch television program block for younger children that launched as Z@ppelin in September 2000. Before Z@ppelin, the programmes were scheduled on all three public channels. On 4 September 2005, Z@ppelin became a channel for children aged 2–6 years. The @ in the name of the channel was dropped on 10 September 2012. On 12 March 2013, the NPO announced that Zapp and Zappelin would be renamed as NPO Zapp and NPO Zappelin. The reason for this change is to make the channels and its programmes more recognizable. The rebranding completed on 19 August 2014. Together with NPO Zapp it broadcasts on NPO 3 during daytime. It is also part of the 24-hour children's channel NPO Zappelin Xtra.
Discovery World is a former European pay television channel which featured programming in the fields of travel, culture and history. It used to be a pan-european television channel. Discovery World offered a mix of history, culture, real-life stories, investigation, mystery shows, factual series and documentaries. At time of closure its programming was mainly in English and subtitled in Dutch.
NPO 1 Extra is a television channel jointly operated by Dutch public broadcasters AVROTROS, BNNVARA, EO, KRO-NCRV and MAX. It was originally launched as HilversumBest on 1 December 2006. NPO 1 Extra presents highlights of more than sixty years of Dutch television history. The channel was founded by Han Peekel.
NPO Doc was a documentary television channel in the Netherlands. It was a digital theme channel, available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Typically programs were in the Dutch language. Yet, depending on the subject of the documentary some programmes were in the original language with Dutch subtitles. On 10 March 2014, Holland Doc 24 changed its name into NPO Doc.
Disney Channel is the Dutch edition based on the American channel of the same name, owned by the Walt Disney Company. All content is dubbed in Dutch animated series animation series subtitled in Dutch The channel features a mix of original sitcoms, sometimes teen drama series, movies animation movies animated films and original movies. except for the programs that are produced in the Netherlands or Flanders. English audio is also available on the operators Ziggo, Canal Digitaal, TV Vlaanderen, Caiway, Proximus and Telenet. There are two different versions with local advertisements.
Cartoon Network is a Dutch television channel which primarily airs animated programming in the Netherlands and Belgium. This version is available in the Dutch and English languages. Some providers offer the Dutch language only.
Stingray Brava was a cultural television channel originated in the Netherlands, owned by the Stingray Group in Canada. The programming consisted of opera, ballet, and concertos. Productions were recorded in opera houses such as the Royal Opera House, the Teatro Real, and La Scala. The productions consisted of stage performances such as La bohème, Otello, Aida, Swan Lake, Tosca, Zoroastre and Così fan tutte.
Stingray Lite TV is a non-stop music television channel that brings mainly (soft) pop music videos from the 80s, 90s and today. 24/7. 2Connect Media BV launched the channel as Lite TV on 17 December 2007. In June 2014 the Stingray Group acquired Lite TV from the Archibald Media Group. On 1 April 2015, the channel has received its current name, before it was called Lite TV. Stingray Lite TV can be received via cable and IPTV in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Stingray DJAZZ is a Dutch cultural music channel aimed at the European market which launched as DJAZZ.TV on 22 June 2012. The programming consists of jazz, soul, gospel, blues and world music, like reggae, tango and Brazilian music. The productions consist of jazz festivals, jazz concerts and documentaries. The channel was founded by Rob Overman and Robert Rutten. Since 31 July 2015 the channel is owned and operated by the Canadian company Stingray Group. In October 2016 it changed its name into Stingray DJAZZ.
TV 538 is a music television channel that airs music videos and live coverage of its radio broadcasts. Dutch radio station Radio 538 launched the TV channel on 4 July 2011. The channel is owned by Talpa Network. It broadcasts 24 hours a day and airs across the Netherlands.
TLC is a Dutch television channel which broadcasts lifestyle programmes. It airs programmes related to lifestyle, health, food, and reality shows. Its main target is the female audience. Discovery Benelux launched the channel on 4 July 2011.
National Geographic is a Dutch free-to-air television channel that features documentaries produced by the National Geographic Society. It features some programming similar to that on the Discovery such as nature, science, culture, and history documentaries. The channel launched in the Netherlands in 1998 and initially time shared with CNBC Europe. It was later launched worldwide including in Asia and the United States. Today, the channel is available in over 145 countries, seen in more than 160 million homes and in 25 languages.
100% NL TV is a non-stop music television channel that airs mainly music videos of Dutch artists. The channel launched through cable operator Ziggo on 1 October 2013. It is a collaboration between radio station 100% NL and music channel Lite TV. The channel broadcasts 24 hours a day. It airs across the Netherlands.
Action Now! was a Dutch pay television movie channel, broadcasting in the Netherlands and Flanders. The programming of the channel mainly consisted of action movies. In November 2008 Dutch largest cable company Ziggo removed Action Now! from its network, followed by Caiway on 1 April 2009. The availability of Action Now! dropped considerably in the Netherlands, resulting in the closure of the channel on 31 May 2009.
