 | |
| Country | Belgium |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 625 LinesPAL (analogue),576iSDTV (digital),1080iHDTV |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | DPG Media |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | 31 January 1995; 30 years ago (1995-01-31) |
| Former names |
|
| Links | |
| Website | vtm |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| VTM Go | Watch live (Belgium only) |
VTM 2 (formerlyQ2) is aBelgian television channel owned by the commercial broadcasting companyDPG Media.
The channel was launched as Ka2 (Dutch pronunciation of K2) on 31 January 1995, the second Flemish private television channel, one day ahead of the launch of VT4.[1] It was positioned as a highbrow complement to VTM, competing againstBRTN TV2.[2] The primary goal of Ka2 was to safeguard VTM's obtained market share.[1] The channel's look was designed byLambie-Nairn and received a gold medal at the 1995 Promax UK Conference Awards.[3]
This phase was seen with division from VMMa members, as some said that the channel wanted to distance itself from VTM by creating its own image, while others believed that the channel wanted to be a sort of VTM 2.[1] Among the channel's local productions was the controversial talk show about sexVanavond niet, schat (Not Tonight, Dear). The initial format of the channel faced a number of problems, causing it to be retooled.[1]
In 1997, after the Ka2 format ended its run, BRTN TV2 was retooled as Canvas.
Within less than a year, following the problems VTM faced in its initial format, the channel was renamed Kanaal 2 (Channel 2), in this new guise, the channel attracted a younger demographic than its predecessor and relied heavily on American imports on the cheap.[1]
The logo used in this phase was the word KANAAL (with each letter in blue inside individual yellow squares) and below a larger box with a blue 2.[1]
In 2000, the channel's name changed to the all-uppercaseKANAALTWEE (CHANNELTWO). The rebrand gave way to the first Flemish reality show, a local adaptation ofBig Brother, which ended up being successful and gave the channel its highest ratings so far. However, this phase caused the channel to lack a clear identity, causing viewing figures to drop.[1]
On 12 February 2008 the channel changed its name to 2BE,[4] retaining the 2 but referring to the BelgianISO Country Code BE. The move was to attract ratings as they had been falling: in 2007, KANAALTWEE received a "lackluster" 9.1% against 16.9% in 2001.[5] The goal of the rebrand was to give the channel a "face"; according to director Laurens Verbeke, KANAALTWEE looked "more like a DVD player than a TV channel".[1]
In September 2016, the channel changed its name to Q2. This was an extension of theQmusic radio station brand owned by Medialaan.[6]
On 31 August 2020, Q2 rebranded as VTM 2, as part of a rebranding of the 4 main DPG channels.[7][8]
After thirty years onÉén, VTM 2 secured the rights to the Australian soap operaNeighbours in June 2021, when VRT decided not to renew the contract. The first episode to air on the new rights holder was aired on 14 June; Één's last on 8 June.[9][10] As of the time of the announcement of the revival on Amazon Freevee in November 2022, VTM 2 was airing episodes from 2021 and the finale was only scheduled to air in January 2024, at the then-current rate.[11] On 1 February 2024, VTM 2 airedthe final part of the finale, after which, the rights to the revival were handed over to competing channel Play 5.[12]
Since its parent company also ownsVTM (as well as radio channels), it is not uncommon for programs (especially reruns) to be passed on from one channel to another.
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help)| French language |
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