RTL 4 (Radio Télévision Luxembourg 4) is a Dutch free-to-cable television channel; it is the most-watched commercial station in the country, popular especially with those aged between 20 and 49. RTL 4 is a general entertainment channel with

infotainment Infotainment (a portmanteau of ''information'' and ''entertainment''), also called soft news as a way to distinguish it from serious journalism or hard news, is a type of media, usually television or online, that provides a combination of infor ...

, television drama, talk shows, game shows,

news News is information about current events. This may be provided through many different Media (communication), media: word of mouth, printing, Mail, postal systems, broadcasting, Telecommunications, electronic communication, or through the tes ...

and talent shows. It is owned by RTL Nederland, a subsidiary of RTL Group. The station has three sister TV channels: RTL 5,

RTL 7 RTL 7 is a Dutch free-to-cable television channel that was launched as ''Veronica'' on 1 September 1995. RTL 7 is RTL Nederland's "men's channel" with action films, reality television about crime and professions, soccer, motorsport and talk sho ...

and

RTL 8 RTL 8 is a Dutch free-to-air, free-to-cable television channel that was launched on 18 August 2007 replacing Tien (TV channel), Tien, previously known as Talpa. RTL 8's main target audience consists of women. It broadcasts soap operas, talk shows ...

, and four thematic TV channels:

RTL Z RTL Z is a Dutch free-to-cable business and financial news television channel. It displays economic changes and the stock exchange news in a banner at the bottom of the screen in the daytime. In the evenings the programming consists of documenta ...

RTL Lounge RTL Lounge is a Dutch pay television channel dedicated to drama and lifestyle programmes. It is operated by RTL Nederland and launched on 2 October 2009. Programming Domestic * ''Goede tijden, slechte tijden'' (reruns) Imported * ''Baywatch ...

, RTL Crime and RTL Telekids. Officially RTL 4 - along with RTL 5,

and

- is headquartered in

Hilversum Hilversum () is a city and municipality in the province of North Holland, Netherlands. Located in the heart of the Gooi, it is the largest urban centre in that area. It is surrounded by heathland, woods, meadows, lakes, and smaller towns. Hilvers ...

, broadcasting under a Luxembourg TV license. This allows them to avoid more strict control by the Dutch media authorities as Luxembourg's television watchdog is less strict. Despite being intended for Dutch audiences, RTL 4 is encrypted on the Dutch DVB-T Digitenne platform but free-to-air in Luxembourg.

History

It originally launched on the Astra 1A satellite as ''RTL Véronique'' on 2 October 1989, before re-branding as RTL 4 the next year. 1, 2 and 3 were already used by the Netherlands' public broadcasters. It was one of the first private commercial broadcaster in the Netherlands. Officially, it still broadcasts from Luxembourg. Private broadcasters were not allowed in the Netherlands until 1992. The encryption system employed by both RTL 4 and 5 analogue services whilst on the Astra 1A and 1C satellites was Luxcrypt. This standard was employed in order to protect the distribution rights sold by foreign studios to RTL. RTL 4 broadcasts the first and the longest running soap of the Netherlands, '' Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden'' (since 1 October 1990). RTL 4 logo 2005

RTL 4's latest radical change of programming was on 18 August 2007 when RTL obtained the soccer rights (Eredivisie) but lost the rights to the NOS the following year. In 2008 RTL 4 went back to its roots as a family entertainment channel with programmes such as '' Idols'', '' X Factor'', ''

Dancing with the Stars ''Dancing with the Stars'' is the name of various international television series based on the format of the British TV series '' Strictly Come Dancing'', which is distributed by BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the forma ...

'' and ''

Dancing on Ice ''Dancing on Ice'' is a British television series presented by Phillip Schofield alongside Holly Willoughby from 2006 to 2011, who then returned in 2018, and Christine Bleakley from 2012 to 2014. The series features celebrities and their profe ...

''. That year RTL 4 also launched '' Ik Hou Van Holland'', a quiz-show around and about the Netherlands with

Linda De Mol Linda Margaretha de Mol (born 8 July 1964 in Hilversum) is a successful Dutch television presenter and actress in the Netherlands and Germany. She is the sister of TV-producer and Endemol co-founder John de Mol, and has frequently appeared i ...

From 2009 the talent shows are playing a major role in the programming of RTL 4, the ''X-Factor'' has been rescheduled successfully to Friday night with higher ratings in Season 2 (2009) and Season 3 (2010) on Fridays. In 2010, RTL 4 bought the rights for broadcasting ''

Holland's Got Talent ''Holland's Got Talent'' (often referred to as HGT) is the Dutch version of the ''Got Talent'' series, which was created by Simon Cowell, who also created the series ''The X Factor''. The first season began broadcasting in March 2008 on SBS6. Th ...

'' from

SBS 6 SBS6 is a Dutch free-to-cable commercial TV channel and is a part of Talpa TV, formerly known as SBS Broadcasting B.V. and now owned by Talpa Network. Other channels of the group in the Netherlands are Net5, Veronica, and SBS9. History SBS st ...

and created together with pioneer

John De Mol Johannes Hendrikus Hubert "John" de Mol Jr. (born 24 April 1955) is a Dutch Mass media, media Business magnate, tycoon. De Mol is one of the men behind production companies Endemol and Talpa Network, Talpa. He created the reality television form ...

their own talent show '' The Voice of Holland'' in the Autumn of that same year. ''The Voice of Holland'' became a huge hit on Dutch Television with ratings around 3 million viewers every Friday Night. In 2012 yet another new talent show started, ''

Beat the Best Beat, beats or beating may refer to: Common uses * Patrol, or beat, a group of personnel assigned to monitor a specific area ** Beat (police), the territory that a police officer patrols ** Gay beat, an area frequented by gay men * Battery ...

''. RTL 4 also owns the rights for the soaps '' As the World Turns'' and '' The Bold and the Beautiful''. In January 2007, RTL sold the rights for ''B&B'' to SBS6, but bought the rights back in December 2010. With more money and space to buy other TV shows, RTL 4 bought the rights for the first season of the successful drama show '' Brothers & Sisters'' and took over ''

CSI: Miami ''CSI: Miami'' (''Crime Scene Investigation: Miami'') is an American police procedural drama television series that ran from September 23, 2002 until April 8, 2012 on CBS. Featuring David Caruso as Lieutenant Horatio Caine, Emily Procter as Dete ...

'' from sister channel RTL 5. Television host Peter van der Vorst has been appointed Content and Marketing Director of RTL Nederland. He will start on 1 March 2019.

Radio

From May 1991 until September 2006, the station has had several accompanying radio stations, such as RTL 4 Radio, RTL Radio, RTL Rock Radio, Happy RTL, and RTL FM. Between June 2007 and 1 January 2012 RTL Nederland owned Radio 538, one of the largest radio stations of the Netherlands.

Programming

Hits on RTL 4 include the

RTL Nieuws RTL Nieuws is a Dutch television news service produced by RTL Nederland. The national and international news service produces 17 bulletins each weekday and six weekend bulletins for RTL4 and RTL Z, reaching a total audience of about 1.5 million pe ...

, Editie NL, RTL Boulevard, Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden and the Saturday night family show Ik hou van Holland. Talent shows are also very popular on RTL 4, such as Idols, X Factor,

, Supernanny and The Voice of Holland. RTL 4 also owns the rights for American TV series. As is the practice with other television and film services nationwide, programmes in another language as well as portions of local programmes with foreign language dialogue are carried with Dutch subtitles in lieu of dubbing.

Domestic

Children's Shows

* De Club van Sinterklaas * Telekids

Comedy

* Gooische Vrouwen *

Voetbalvrouwen Voetbalvrouwen is a Dutch dramedy favourably compared to ''Footballers' Wives''. Three seasons (all available on DVD) have been taped since 2006; the first was shown in 2007 on the demissionary channel Tien, the second and third on RTL 4. Cast T ...

( Footballers' Wives)

Drama

Baantjer ''Baantjer'' is a Dutch television programme which was broadcast by RTL 4 from 6 October 1995 until 1 December 2006 for a total of 123 episodes in 12 seasons. It stars Piet Römer as Jurriaan 'Jurre' de Cock, a police detective, and Victor Reinier ...

Moordvrouw Moordvrouw is a Dutch television series broadcast by RTL 4 and in Flanders by VTM. Crew The creative director of the first season was Joram Lürsen. After the first season he was replaced by Gerd Jan van Dalen and Marcel Visbeen. Van Dalen i ...

* Peter R. de Vries: Crime Reporter

Game Shows

* BankGiro Miljonairs ( Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?) * Eén tegen 100 *

I Can See Your Voice ''I Can See Your Voice'' (abbreviated ''ICSYV'' and stylized as ''I Can See Your Voice — Mystery music game show'') () is an international television mystery music game show franchise that originated in South Korea. History In 2012, prod ...

( Dutch version of the South Korean program of the same name) *

Vijf tegen Vijf ''Vijf tegen Vijf'' (or ''5 tegen 5'') was a Dutch game show based on the original American format of ''Family Feud''. In the game, two teams consisting of five contestants play against each other and have to answer questions based on surveys ta ...

(Family Feud) *De Zwakste Schakel (

The Weakest Link ''Weakest Link'' (also known as ''The Weakest Link'') is a television game show which The Weakest Link (British game show), first appeared in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 14 August 2000 and originally ended on 31 March 2012 when its host ...

) *The Big Music Quiz (Dutch version of Le Grand Blind test) *

Dit was het nieuws ''Dit was het nieuws'' (; Dutch for "This was the news") is a Dutch television panel show, produced by AVROTROS and broadcast on NPO 1, wherein two teams give a satirical account of the previous week's news. The program has the form of a game show ...

(Dutch version of Have I Got News for You) * Ik hou van Holland *

De Jongens tegen de Meisjes ''De Jongens tegen de Meisjes'' (Dutch for ''The Boys versus the Girls'') was a Dutch game show broadcast by RTL 4. The show first aired in 2011 and last aired in 2018. The show featured a male and a female team participating in various games an ...

Het Moment Van De Waarheid ''Het Moment Van De Waarheid'' () was a Dutch game show based on the Colombian Nada más que la verdad ("Nothing More than the Truth") format. Contestants answer a series of 21 increasingly personal and embarrassing questions to receive cash pri ...

News

Reality

*Bouwval gezocht (

Property Ladder The term property ladder, widely used in the United Kingdom, describes the relative differences in constant terms from cheaper to more expensive housing. According to this metaphor, an individual or a family can progress by stages from more aff ...

) *

*Dancing with the Stars (British version of

Strictly Come Dancing ''Strictly Come Dancing'' (informally known as ''Strictly'') is a British dance contest show in which celebrities partner with professional dancers to compete in mainly ballroom and Latin dance. Each couple is scored by a panel of usually 4 ...

) *

Eigen Huis & Tuin Eigen Huis & Tuin (''own home and garden'') is a Dutch television program about do it yourself related topics. It started in 1990 and is broadcast on Saturday evenings on RTL 4. It has about half a million viewers weekly. History In 1990 RTL 4 ...

* The Voice of Holland * The Voice Kids *

The Voice Senior ''The Voice Senior'' is a version of ''The Voice'' TV series franchise in which seniors participate. Versions The first such variation was '' The Voice Senior'' from the Netherlands, which was followed by other international variants: : Franchis ...

* Hoe schoon is jouw Huis? (

How Clean Is Your House? ''How Clean Is Your House?'' is a British entertainment/lifestyle television programme in which expert cleaners Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie visit dirty houses and clean them up. The thirty-minute show was produced by Talkback Thames, the U ...

) * Idols (revived on RTL 5 for the fifth series) *Mijn Tent is Top ( My Restaurant Rules) (series 2 & 3) * My Name Is... * Soundmixshow * X Factor

Soap Operas

* Goede tijden, slechte tijden

Talk Shows

* RTL Boulevard * BEAU * Jinek * Humberto

Imported

* The Bold and the Beautiful *

Dr. Phil Phillip Calvin McGraw (born September 1, 1950), better known as Dr. Phil, is an American television personality and author best known for hosting the talk show '' Dr. Phil''. He holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, though he ceased rene ...

* ER

Notable television presenters

Vivienne van den Assem Vivienne Linette van den Assem (born 15 November 1983) is a Dutch actress and presenter. Life Youth Van den Assem spent her childhood in Oud-Beijerland. She attended the atheneum at the CSG Willem van Oranje. In her fourth class of the atheneum ...

(2018–present) * Vivian Boelen (1991–2012) * Carlo Boszhard (1993–present) *

Patty Brard A patty or burger (in British English) is a flattened, usually round, serving of ground meat and/or legumes, grains, vegetables, or meat alternatives. Patties are found in multiple cuisines throughout the world. In British and American Eng ...

(1989-1990, 1994, 2011-2013, 2018) * Robert ten Brink (2006–present) * Daphne Bunskoek (2005-2008, 2013, 2018–present) * Pepijn Crone (2015–present) * Nicolette van Dam (2008–2015) *

Wendy van Dijk Wendy van Dijk (born 22 January 1971) is a Dutch actress, comedian and television presenter. She is best known for her portrayal of Ushi Hirosaki, a hapless Japanese journalist featured in both a series of Dutch television shows and a theatric ...

(2006–2019) * Marieke Elsinga (2016–present) *

Beau van Erven Dorens Beau van Erven Dorens (born 24 December 1970) is a Dutch television presenter, actor and voice actor. He is known for presenting many television programs, including ''Deal or No Deal'', ''RTL Boulevard'', ''Het Zesde Zintuig'' and ''Beau Five Da ...

(1998-2005, 2007-2009, 2015-present) * Natasja Froger (2010–present) * Gordon (2007–2018) *

Angela Groothuizen Angela Groothuizen (born 28 September 1959) is a Dutch singer, artist and television personality. Her initial fame came as a member of the Dolly Dots. Biography Angela Groothuizen was born in Alkmaar, and has four brothers and sisters. She joine ...

(2009–present) *

Olcay Gulsen Olcay Gülşen, also known as OJ Gulsen, (born 20 July 1980) is a Dutch fashion designer. She was the owner of fashion label "SuperTrash" from 2009 to 2018. Life and career Olcay Gulsen's parents are Kurdish born in Turkey. Gulsen was born in W ...

(2016-2019) *

John van den Heuvel John van den Heuvel (born 26 December 1962) is a Dutch crime journalist, television presenter and former police officer. Career Since 1990, he works as crime reporter at the newspaper '' De Telegraaf''. He often appears in the television pr ...

(2001–present) * Jan de Hoop (1989–present) *

Mariska Hulscher Mariska Hulscher (born 8 March 1964, in Delft) is a Dutch TV presenter who worked for the NCRV, RTL 4, and RTL 5. Hulscher is also a columnist for a variety of magazines, and works as a divorce coach. Education, career After getting her VWO dip ...

(200?-200?) *

Twan Huys Twan Huys (born 24 March 1964) is a Dutch journalist, television presenter and author. He is the presenter of the Dutch TV shows ''Nieuwsuur'' and ''College Tour''. Previously, he worked as a correspondent and presenter for ''NOVA''. The format o ...

(2018-2019) * Luuk Ikink (2013–present) * Chantal Janzen (2005-2006, 2011–present) *

Eva Jinek Eva Jinek (born 13 July 1978) is a Dutch American journalist and television presenter. Biography Jinek was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and grew up in Washington, D.C., where she attended Sheridan School.Nicolette Kluijver (2014–present) *

Jeroen van Koningsbrugge Jeroen van Koningsbrugge (born 3 September 1973) is a Dutch actor, comedian, singer, director and presenter. He has appeared in more than thirty films since 1999. He was a member of the television programme '' De Lama's'' and together with his fr ...

(2008-2019) *

Martijn Krabbé Martijn Joop Krabbé (born 26 March 1968) is a Dutch radio and television presenter. Career Krabbé started his career in Dutch media as a 19-year-old in the Dutch TV programme "Popformule". Later, he hosted several Dutch television programmes, ...

(1995–present) * Pernille La Lau (2006-2008, 2010–present) * Paul de Leeuw (2013-2014, 2018–present) * Marc van der Linden (2003–present) *

Bridget Maasland Bridget Maasland (born 9 November 1974) is a Dutch VJ, television presenter and producer. Career She worked as a model and appeared on the catwalk in fashionshows for children. Her debut on television was a commercial for fruit as a healthy al ...

(2007-2012, 2016–present) * Char Margolis (2002–2008, 2010) * Jaap van Meekren (1989–1993) *

Linda de Mol Linda Margaretha de Mol (born 8 July 1964 in Hilversum) is a successful Dutch television presenter and actress in the Netherlands and Germany. She is the sister of TV-producer and Endemol co-founder John de Mol, and has frequently appeared i ...

(2007–2019) * Irene Moors (1989–2016) *

Ruben Nicolai Ruben Nicolai (born 8 May 1975) is a Dutch television presenter and comedian. He is known as one of the comedians in the television show ''De Lama's'' together with Tijl Beckand, Ruben van der Meer and Jeroen van Koningsbrugge. He has also presen ...

(2015–present) * Derek Ogilvie (2007–2013) *

Jeroen Pauw Jeroen Pauw (born 15 August 1960) is a Dutch journalist and television presenter. He is known for being the lead presenter of the evening editions of ''RTL Nieuws'' from 1989–2000, as well as presenting ''Pauw & Witteman'' with Paul Witteman a ...

(1989–2000) * Antoin Peeters (2002–present) * Jur Raatjes (1989–1999) * Art Rooijakkers (2018–present) *

Loretta Schrijver Loretta Maxine Schrijver (born 16 May 1956 in New York City) is a Dutch television host. Schrijver started working for television after finishing her studies History and Translation Science, after which she became a famous television personalit ...

(1989-2007, 2010–present) * Katja Schuurman (2018–present) * Gaston Starreveld (1990–present) * Humberto Tan (2007-2012, 2013–present) * Caroline Tensen (1989-1999, 2019–present) * Quinty Trustfull (2006, 2008–present) *

Rudolph van Veen Rudolph van Veen (;Born 28 January 1967) is a Dutch TV chef and cookbook author. He is best known for his appearances on the 24Kitchen television channel, where he hosts four programs: '' Rudolph's Bakery'', '' De Makkelijke Maaltijd'' (Easy Meals ...

(2000–2005, 2008–2011) * Thomas Verhoef (2005–present) * Peter van der Vorst (2006-2019) *

Peter R. de Vries Peter Rudolf de Vries (14 November 1956 – 15 July 2021) was a Dutch investigative journalist and crime reporter. His television program (''Crime Reporter''; 1995−2012) covered high-profile cases and set a Dutch television viewing record. F ...

(1995–1998, 2006–2010, 2013–2021) * Frits Wester (1994–present) * Merel Westrik (2014–2019) * John Williams (1995–present)

Teletext

RTL 4 offered a teletext service which stopped on 1 April 2017. The pages 888/889 are still available for subtitles.

References

External links

RTL 4
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rtl 4 Television channels in the Netherlands RTL Nederland 1989 establishments in the Netherlands Television channels and stations established in 1989