vtm

This article is about the television station. For the role-playing system, see Vampire: The Masquerade.

vtm
Launched February 1, 1989
Owned by Medialaan
Picture format - 625 Lines PAL (analogue)
- 576i SDTV
- 1080i HDTV (digital)
Audience share 24.60% (2008, [1])
Slogan Je beleeft het hier
("You experience it here")
Country Belgium
Language Flemish
Website vtm.be
Availability
Satellite
TV Vlaanderen Digitaal (BE) Channel 3
Astra 1L 19.2° east 12670V, 22.0, 5/6
Cable
Telenet Digital TV (Flanders) Channel 1 (HD)
Telenet Digital TV (Brussels) Channel 100 (HD)
Telenet Check your local listings at zenders.be
Voo (Brussels) Digital Channel 72
IPTV
Belgacom TV (VDSL) (Flanders) Channel 3
Channel 32 (HD)
Belgacom TV (VDSL) (Brussels) Channel 32 (HD)
Channel 52
Belgacom TV (VDSL) (Wallonia) Channel 32 (HD)
Channel 222
Interview Het Nieuws, VTM

vtm or Vlaamse Televisie Maatschappij (English: Flemish Television Company) is the main commercial television station in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking north of Belgium and forms part of a network of channels owned by Medialaan (formerly VMMa).

It was launched on February 1, 1989 and quickly became the most popular TV channel in the Flemish part of Belgium. Early programming consisted of local versions of game shows like 'Rad Van Fortuin' (Wheel of Fortune) or 'Waagstuk' (Jeopardy). The channel is also considered to have been instrumental in the rebirth of the local music industry as it was the first TV channel to promote local music through its primetime TV show 'Tien om te zien' (Ten to see), a weekly chart show with only local music productions.

The channel's focus on local music and local versions of international TV formats quickly allowed it to outperform public television in 1989 and the early 90s. Average marketshare went up to over 40% in 1993. Currently vtm is still the Flemish commercial market leader and the 2nd biggest channel in Flanders. It can be received on cable, digital cable, IPTV in Flanders and Belgium and by satellite in Europe.

Parent company Medialaan also operates sister channels, including vtmKzoom (children's), as well as 2BE and JIM, as well as Vitaya. Many programs originally aired on vtm may later rerun on these other channels. The broadcaster also owns two radio stations: Q-music and JOEfm. It also formerly owned the now defunct Radio BemBem. In 2005 there were talks about Medialaan buying the Flemish part of Canal Plus from Telenet but this fell through. In 2006 rumours spread that the RTL Group would buy 50% of Medialaan, but vtm as well as RTL denied those plans.

In 2004, vtm lost its market dominance back to the public broadcaster VRT's flagship channel één. After its big rebrand in 2008 and the latest smaller rebrand in 2012, vtm regained strength with popular shows.

Programming

Currently aired Flemish (co-)productions

Currently aired imported productions

Formerly aired Flemish (co-)productions

Formerly aired imported productions

TamTam

For several years, vtm broadcast a kids' strand called TamTam, competing with VRT's Ketnet. It featured programmes such as Teletubbies Everywhere and Miffy for little children and shows such as SimsalaGrimm, Tweety and Sylvester Mysteries, Schuif Af and Kids Top 20 for older kids. During vtm's latest rebrand on 29 February 2008, the channel decided to do away with the TamTam brand. The programming block is now broadcast under the vtm brand.

vtmKzoom

vtmKzoom is the kids channel of vtm. It airs between 6am and 6pm. There is also a channel called vtmKzoom+ which airs 24/24 and is a digital only channel. The brand has started on the first of October 2009.

Logos

1989–2004 2004–2008 2008–present

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Marktaandelen van de belangrijkste Vlaamse tv-netten in 2008". Var.
  2. ↑ "Vlaamse Hollywood vrouwen".

External links