Public service media in the Netherlands has a long history and is based on the social practice of “pillarization,” which is specific to Dutch society. Broadcasting was introduced in the Netherlands in 1951. The Dutch Broadcasting Foundation (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting, NOS) was established in 1969 through the merger of the Netherlands Radio Union (NRU) and the Netherlands Television Union (NTU).
In 2007, Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (NPO) was created as the new umbrella organization for Dutch public media, while NOS continued to operate as a member broadcaster within the newly emerged NPO.
The Dutch public broadcasting system, run by the NPO, consists of two categories of broadcasters. The first category includes the so-called task broadcasters: NOS, which focuses on news, current affairs, sports, and national events, and NTR, which focuses on education and culture. The second category comprises nine broadcasting associations that serve specific target groups or represent social or ideological movements.
NPO also operates BVN (Best of Flanders and the Netherlands), a Dutch-language channel designed for Dutch viewers living abroad. In the radio segment, NPO operates seven channels.
Media assets
Television: National- NPO 1, NPO 2, NPO 3, NPO Zappelin, NPO Zapp; International- BVN TV
Radio: NPO Radio 1, NPO Radio 2, NPO 3 FM, NPO Klassiek, NPO Radio 5, NPO Fun X
State Media Matrix Typology: Independent State-Funded (ISF)
Ownership and governance
The Dutch public broadcasting system is overseen by NPO, a foundation that coordinates a range of public service radio and television broadcasters representing different communities. The time allocated for their programs is determined by the Dutch Media Act of 2008. This policy aims to guarantee that every social group in Dutch society is represented in the country’s media.
The NPO serves as the highest governing body of the Dutch public media system. Its Supervisory Board, the top governing body within the NPO, has its chair appointed by the education minister. The other board members are also appointed by the education minister and member broadcast associations in a manner that effectively prevents political interference.
Each member organization within the NPO has its governing structures, which adds an additional layer of protection against potential political interference. The roles and responsibilities of these broadcasters are also legally defined. They have complete freedom to create their programs. NPO serves as a programming coordinator for all channels, offering various services such as subtitling, managing rights contracts, and purchasing international programs for all of them.
Source of funding and budget
The NPO receives funding from a combination of state subsidies and commercial revenues. In 2022, the Dutch public service system received a state subsidy of €893m, with the largest part coming from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, according to the NPO’s 2022 annual report.
Additionally, the company generates revenue from sponsorship and the sale of audiovisual content, primarily movies, to streaming companies like Netflix and Videoland. In 2017, the broadcaster established Dutch CORE to manage this aspect of their business. However, the revenue from content sales currently only covers the operational costs of Dutch CORE.
Editorial independence
According to the Dutch Media Act of 2008, the NPO is required to provide unbiased coverage. The law ensures that the NPO has editorial independence from the government and specifies that the organization’s focus should be on creating public service programming, including impartial news coverage of parliamentary debates.
The main regulatory authority for the media in the Netherlands is an independent body known as Commissariaat voor de Media (CvdM). It works to ensure, among other things, that the government cannot influence the media, including commercial and public media.
On top of that, the Dutch Media Act comprises provisions that guarantee NPO’s editorial freedom.
The NPO has a Code of Conduct for Good Governance and Integrity of Public Broadcasting. The NPO Board of Directors drafted this code in consultation with its members and outlines a set of rules that directly or indirectly support the broadcaster’s editorial independence.
The NPO has an independent body called the Public Broadcasting Integrity Committee (CIPO). This committee advises applying the governance code to NPO broadcasters and the group’s Board of Directors when requested and on its initiative.
In addition, the NPO has an Ombudsman, an independent entity responsible for assessing and overseeing the station’s editorial coverage.
August 2024