Television networks in the Netherlands

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In the Netherlands, the television market is divided between a number of commercial networks and a system of public broadcasters sharing three channels. In the Netherlands, as in Belgium and several other European countries, foreign shows are generally shown in the original language, with subtitles.

Contents 1 Public television 2 Commercial television 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Public television

Main article: Publieke Omroep

Dutch public television, the Publieke Omroep, supported by government taxes and commercials, operates three channels:

• Nederland 1
• Nederland 2
• Nederland 3

These stations can only make a fixed maximum amount of money from commercials inserted by the independent Ster agency. These commercials never interrupt broadcasts, and are only shown in between shows.

In 2005 there has been a sharp political debate over government plans to cut funding to public broadcasters, as well as abolishing statutory broadcaster NPS.

[edit] Commercial television

Commercial television started with RTL (Radio Television Luxemburg) broadcasting from Luxembourg as a pirate station. There are now three major nationwide commercial television companies, each with one or more channels:

RTL Nederland (part of RTL Group):

• RTL 4
• RTL 5
• RTL 7

SBS Broadcasting Group:

• SBS6
• NET 5
• Veronica

Talpa Media Holding:

• Tien

The are also other networks present, offering speciality channels. Among them are Discovery Communications, MTV Networks Europe and Time Warner Inc.

[edit] See also

• List of television channels in the Netherlands

[edit] External links

• http://gids.omroep.nl (in Dutch) shows programming of Dutch and other stations of surrounding countries.
• Netherland ol Televisions (in English) .