In a significant shake-up of the Dutch public broadcasting system, Minister Bruins announced on Friday, April 4, 2025, that the structure will undergo major reforms starting in 2029. This plan aims to reduce the number of member-based broadcasters from eleven to four or five consolidated "broadcasting houses." Notably, the NTR, which operates without members, will not be included in any of these new entities.
Minister Bruins outlined his vision in a letter to the Tweede Kamer, emphasizing the necessity for a more efficient public broadcaster. He stated, "The current system checks every five years whether broadcasters have at least 100,000 members," a criterion he believes should be abandoned to allow for a broader representation of societal voices. He aims to ensure that the tasks and programs of the NTR are preserved, although he has yet to clarify how this will be accomplished.
The eleven existing broadcasters include AVROTROS, PowNed, MAX, WNL, VPRO, Human, BNNVARA, KRO-NCRV, EO, ON!, and Zwart. The proposed reforms come in response to findings from various studies indicating that the current structure is ineffective. "If we want the broadcaster to remain relevant, we must keep what is valuable and dare to change what is necessary," Bruins remarked.
Director of NTR, Lucas Goes, expressed his shock at the announcement, stating, "We were in good consultation with the NOS to establish a joint task broadcasting house, as the minister had indicated. Then this passage in his letter is incomprehensible to me. That the NTR, the most public broadcaster in the entire system, is simply excluded... I am astounded." Goes emphasized that the NTR plays a vital role in highlighting themes that might otherwise be overlooked, particularly in areas of education, culture, and minority representation.
Despite his dismay, Goes acknowledged the need for reform, saying, "I agree with the minister that the system needs to be reformed. In my view, he could have taken even more steps. But excluding the NTR is unacceptable to me." He plans to reach out to the minister to discuss the implications of these changes further.
Arjan Lock, chairman of the College van Omroepen, also expressed surprise at the exclusion of the NTR from the new broadcasting houses. He had anticipated a collaborative structure involving both the NOS and NTR. Lock commented, "The minister is undertaking a significant renovation, but one must maintain the support pillars." He described the proposed reforms as good and future-oriented, noting the need for the public broadcaster to adapt in a rapidly changing media landscape.
The NTR is known for its educational programming, including popular shows such as Het Sinterklaasjournaal, Nieuwsuur, and Klokhuis. Goes highlighted the NTR's commitment to providing accessible educational content to diverse audiences across the Netherlands. He pointed out that the NTR has been successful in bringing an "educational layer to broad and small audiences from all over the Netherlands" through specialized editorial teams.
Minister Bruins' reform plan is not without controversy. Mohammed Mohandis, media spokesperson for GroenLinks-PvdA, criticized the changes as a "chilling austerity operation," arguing that the elimination of the NTR's programming is unprecedented and unacceptable. He stated, "What this cabinet seems to want to do is settle a rear-guard battle between the broadcasters and the NPO, without offering a solution to the significant challenges facing the public broadcaster: remaining relevant in a rapidly changing media landscape."
Bruins acknowledged that the reform is connected to budget cuts but insisted they are separate processes. The cuts, amounting to €156 million, will take effect in 2027, while the new broadcasting system is expected to be ready by January 1, 2029. He admitted that some programming would inevitably be affected by the restructuring, stating, "While I expect the broadcasters will try to preserve their programs as much as possible, cutting back on programming is ultimately unavoidable."
The upcoming debate in the Tweede Kamer on April 14 will provide a platform for discussing these significant changes. As the public broadcaster prepares for this transformation, many employees, particularly those at the NTR, are left grappling with uncertainty about their future. Goes emphasized the need for a safe working environment for the approximately 400 people employed at the NTR, including freelancers, amid these sweeping changes.
In summary, the proposed reforms represent a pivotal moment for the Dutch public broadcasting system. As the landscape shifts, the focus will be on how to balance efficiency with the need for diverse voices and programming that reflects the richness of Dutch society. The future of the NTR and its programming remains uncertain, but the call for change is clear.
