RTL 8 is a Dutchfree-to-cable television channel that was launched on 18 August 2007 replacingTien, previously known asTalpa. RTL 8's main target audience consists of women.[1] It broadcastssoap operas,talk shows,films and reruns of programmes from its sister RTL channels. In the mornings and late afternoons children's channelRTL Telekids is broadcasting on RTL 8.
Officially RTL 5 - along withRTL 4,RTL 7 and RTL 8 - is headquartered inHilversum, broadcasting with aLuxembourg TV license. This allows them to avoid more severe control by the Dutch media authorities as Luxembourg's television watchdog is less strict.[2]
The channel started asTalpa, later rebranded asTien, which was launched by media tycoonJohn de Mol in August 2005. In 2007 John de Mol's Talpa Media assets were amalgamated with RTL Nederland. In exchange, John de Mol obtained a 26.3% share in RTL Nederland.[3]
RTL Nederland revealed thatTien would be rebranded asRTL 8. Fons van Westerloo, director of RTL Nederland explained that the name of the new RTL channel was chosen as not to conflict with the second largest Dutch commercial television channel,SBS6.[4]RTL 7 got a makeover as well.RTL 8 gotThe Oprah Winfrey Show,As the World Turns, and the popular Dutch programGooische Vrouwen. Furthermore,RTL 8 is going to repeat the popular programmes of the other RTL-channels, previously done byRTL 7.[5]
On 18 August 2007Tien ceased to exist and was taken over byRTL 8.[6]
On 15 October 2009RTL Nederland started simulcasting theirRTL 7 andRTL 8 channels in1080i high-definition.[7]
^"Full year results 2020 financial report"(PDF).RTL Group. p. 41.Women's channel RTL 8 attracted an average prime-time audience share of 3.7 per cent among female viewers aged 35 to 59 (2019: 4.2 per cent).
^abjoint venture with Amperwelle Studio München Programmanbietergesellschaft,Axel Springer AG, Burda, Studio Gong, m.b.t. Mediengesellschaft der bayerischen Tageszeitungen für Kabelkommunikation, Medienpool and Radio Bavaria Rundfunkprogrammgesellschaft.
^joint venture with Verlagsgesellschaft Madsack, Studio Gong Niedersachsen and Brune-Rieck-Beteiligungs.
^joint venture with Axel Springer, Heinrich Bauer Verlag, Lühmanndruck Harburger Zeitungsgesellschaft and Morgenpost Verlag.
^abjoint venture with Amperwelle Studio München Programmanbietergesellschaft,Axel Springer AG, Burda, Studio Gong, m.b.t. Mediengesellschaft der bayerischen Tageszeitungen für Kabelkommunikation, Medienpool and Radio Bavaria Rundfunkprogrammgesellschaft.
^joint venture with Verlagsgesellschaft Madsack, Studio Gong Niedersachsen and Brune-Rieck-Beteiligungs.
^joint venture with Axel Springer, Heinrich Bauer Verlag, Lühmanndruck Harburger Zeitungsgesellschaft and Morgenpost Verlag.
