Dutch international channel BVN will continue to be supported by the Dutch broadcaster NPO from July 1, 2021.
It follows the withdrawal of the Flemish public broadcaster as part of a new digital strategy set out by the Flemish media ministry.
“With respect to the choice made by the Flemish Minister of Media, both partners part ways in a constructive manner. We look back on a very pleasant cooperation,” says Frans Klein, chairman of the BVN board. BVN will continue, but its content will now be supplied by the Dutch public broadcaster alone.
However, financial constraints, brought about by the departure of BVN’s Belgian partners means there will be a reduction in the number of satellites used. “Until now, the high costs of broadcasting via satellite could be shared with Flanders, but now that this subsidy stops, we are unfortunately forced to cut back on some expensive satellite contracts.”
The Eutelsat 113WA satellite (113 degrees West) will continue to deliver BVN to the Dutch overseas territories, along with South and Central America and a large part of the United States. In addition, BVN can also be received from the Astra neighbourhood at 19 degrees East.
VRT will continue to be available through VRT NU, VRT NWS and the VRT radio apps.
