Nederland 24 was the collective name for a number of specialty television channels from theDutch public broadcasting system. It also broadcasts a sample channel of the same name featuring a mix of programming from the other thematic channels. A couple of these specialty channel are still available, but are now fully under the wings of theNPO.
Originally it consisted of seventeen channels which were available through cable and online. Currently, only four of the channels survive under theNPO Themakanalen umbrella.
TheNederland 24 channels were an expansion of the Dutch public broadcasting system, in which public broadcasting associations provide general programming. Based on the number of active members, broadcasting associations receive airtime on three national public television stations (NPO 1,NPO 2 andNPO 3). The thematic channels offered these broadcasting associations more airtime to expand its core programming. These channels broadcast round-the-clock, all day, hence the "24" part of the name.
The nameNederland 4 was first used in 2000 for a proposed fourth national public network with content provided by NOS and the regional public stations.[1] The chances of opening such a channel fell in December when negotiations fell through.[2]
The first step towardsNederland 24 was made by theVPRO broadcasting association with the introduction of3VOOR12TV in May 2003. The success of this theme channel led to the launch of3VOOR12 Central,3VOOR12 On Stage,Journaal 24, andHolland Doc channels in December 2004 and/Geschiedenis in February 2005. InitiallyNederland 4 was being used with the start of the internet portalNederland4.nl on 6 April 2005.
From November 2006 the Dutch public broadcasting system started with the expansion of the number of channels to a total of 17. By 2009 this number dropped to 12 channels. TheNederland-e,DNTV,3VOOR12 Central, and3VOOR12 On Stage channels were cancelled and/Geloven andOmega TV merged into Spirit 24.[3] That same month, its twelve channels were available on streaming using the Microsoft Silverlight platform.[4] On 1 April 2009, theNederland 4 branding changed toNederland 24, with the names of the theme channels including the "24" as a prefix, except for101 TV.
In January 2009 it was announced that the political channelPolitiek 24 would change into a sport/politics channel.Opvoeden doe je zo! changed toZ@ppelin 24, a children's channel. In August, 37% of all households and 55% of households with digital television had access to the Nederland 24 channels. To raise awareness, it launched the "1 + 2 + 3 = 24" (alluding to the three channels' contents being shown on the Nederland 24 brand) through its value-added services: live broadcasts, exclusive programmes and previews of upcoming programmes on the three main channels.[5]