MTV Networks will rearrange its channel line-up on the Dutch market from January 1, 2011. The all music channel TMF (The Music Factory) will end analogue cable distribution on December 31.
From the New Year onwards, TMF will only be available as a digital channel on cable and other platforms. MTV Networks will use the analogue slot for Comedy Central (from 15.00 until 06.00) and the new young children’s channel Kindernet (06.00-15.00).
At the moment, Comedy Central is available on analogue in channel sharing with Nickelodeon. Nickelodeon will now get its own channel with a TeenNick programming block planned after 21.00.
The new Kindernet is a revival of an old brand; actually, Kindernet was the very first Dutch language dedicated kids channel. Programing will be aimed at young children up to eight years old with content coming from Nickelodeon, Nick Jr and the Belgian production house Studio 100.
With the new arrangement, MTV networks will continue to have three analogue channels available in the country, MTV, Comedy Central/Kindernet and Nickelodeon/TeenNick. The move on the Dutch market follows the withdrawal of MTV in analogue from the German market.
Meanwhile, RTL Nederland said it has plans to launch a new music channel called Radio 538 TV, while former TMF veejay Erik de Zwart has announced his plans for a Top 40 TV channel. TMF-founder Lex Harding said he plans to offer his Slam!TV channel to analogue cable – at the moment the channel is only available in digital and online.
