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RTL 5

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RTL 5
CountryNetherlands
Luxembourg
Broadcast areaNetherlands
Luxembourg
HeadquartersHilversum, Netherlands
Programming
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerRTL Group
ParentRTL Nederland (2004–present)
Holland Media Groep (1997–2004)
RTL 4 S.A. (1993–1997)
Sister channelsRTL 4
RTL 7
RTL 8
RTL Z
RTL Lounge
RTL Crime
RTL Telekids
History
Launched2 October 1993; 31 years ago (1993-10-02)
Former namesRTL V (1993–1994)
RTL 5 Nieuws & Weer (1997–1998)
Links
Websitewww.rtl5.nl
Availability
Terrestrial
DigitenneChannel 5 (HD)
DTT (Luxembourg)498 MHz (SD)
Streaming media
Ziggo GOZiggoGO.tv (Europe only)
KPN iTV OnlineWatch live (Europe only)

RTL 5 is a Dutch free-to-cable television channel that was launched on 2 October 1993, during the 4th anniversary of its sister channel. It mainly broadcasts American films and hit series but also reality shows, comedy, travel, international shows and local productions including Expeditie Robinson, Holland's Next Top Model & Benelux' Next Top Model, Dutch versions of America's Next Top Model, the Dutch version of Project Catwalk, So You Think You Can Dance and a Dutch version of ITV's Take Me Out.[1]

Officially RTL 5 - along with RTL 4, RTL 7 and RTL 8 - is headquartered in Hilversum, broadcasting with a Luxembourg TV license. This allows them to avoid more severe control by the Dutch media authorities as Luxembourg's television watchdog is less strict.

History

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Early years

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RTL 4 planned the creation of an RTL 5 as early as March 1992. The group conducted a feasibility study to create a second channel for targets that were not properly served by the main channel.[2] In a board meeting at the end of June 1993, CLT publicly announced a 2 October launch date, aiming to complement the broader RTL 4. Executives believed that RTL 5 was set to start at the right time, and that the new channel would help develop the Dutch commercial television market.[3] The channel planned to receive US$2,60 per subscriber for its cable fees during its first year of operation.[4]

RTL 5 started as RTL V via the Astra 1C satellite on 2 October 1993. The programming mainly consists of shows about cars and programmes for men.[5] In 1994 it changed the Roman number V into 5.[6]

RTL 5 under the early days of HMG

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In February 1995, Veronica joined RTL 4 S.A., starting a joint venture called HMG (Holland Media Groep). Two of the channels already had defined targets (RTL 4 continued being a family channel and Veronica was set to be a youth channel), but RTL 5 "clashed" with RTL 4, causing the channel to find a new formula.[7] In March, its founding director Fans von Westerloo left the channel and was appointed for the same position on the upstart network SBS6. Program coordinator Bart in't Houd also left the channel to join the same post on the new service.[8]

With three major channels RTL could disrupt the television market in the Netherlands. A recommendation from the European Commission suggested the sale of RTL 5 to another company, with SBS Broadcasting being interested. The Competition Commission suggested by mid-September to formally create HMG only if RTL 5 was sold and if Endemol's share was reduced to a symbolic level.[9]

Attempted reconversion to a news and weather format

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In the summer of 1996, the channel was aimed at reconverting itself into a news channel, but HMG executives were still pending a final decision.[10] Under pressure of the European Commission the channel was rebranded as RTL 5 Nieuws & Weer (in English: RTL 5 News & Weather) between 1997 and 1998.[6] RTL 5 became a thematic news channel, with an 8pm news bulletin competing against the main edition of NOS Journaal. It also provided a ten-minute Weer & Verkeer (weather and traffic) bulletin after the main news.[11] Weeks after the launch of the new format, SBS Broadcasting tried suing RTL 5 in front of the European Commission, under the grounds that HMG was not following EC recommendations in becoming a theme channel. Part of its line-up still consisted of feature films, going against the news channel concept, and one of the new local programmes, 5 in het land, was similar to SBS6's Hart van Nederland.[12] The EC suggested a gradual removal of the general entertainment fare in order to finish the conversion.[13]

Repositioning

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With the launch of NET5 in 1999, the channel changed its format again. The channel withdrew its news and weather format and increased its target demographic.[14] In September 2000, the European Commission reversed the restrictions on RTL 5 because competitive channels had been launched in the Netherlands. On 5 June 2001,[15] a Business and Financial News block called RTL Z started on RTL 5 during daytime.[5] Regular RTL 5 programming started at 6pm.[16] RTL Z moved from RTL 5 to RTL 7 on 12 August 2005.[17]

Since 2005

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Since then, in conjunction with the RTL rebrand, RTL 5 has become a 24-hours channel.[18] It also absorbed the programmes of the former Yorin channel, while RTL 7, the former Yorin, took RTL5's former output.[19]

On 15 January 2024, a new season of Big Brother premiered on the channel and on Videoland.[20]

Series and shows currently on air

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Series and shows previously shown or on hiatus

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Teletext

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RTL 5 offered a teletext service which stopped on 1 April 2017. The pages 888/889 are still available for subtitles.[21]

Logos

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  • RTL 5's seventh from 1999 to 2004
    RTL 5's seventh from 1999 to 2004
  • RTL 5's eighth from 2004 to 2005
    RTL 5's eighth from 2004 to 2005
  • RTL 5's ninth logo from 2005 to 2012
    RTL 5's ninth logo from 2005 to 2012
  • RTL 5's tenth logo from 2012 to 2017
    RTL 5's tenth logo from 2012 to 2017
  • RTL 5's eleventh logo from 2017 to 2023
    RTL 5's eleventh logo from 2017 to 2023

References

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  1. ^ "RTL 5, Jong, Brutaal en Eigenzinnig". RTL Nederland. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  2. ^ "Een RTL5 zou RTL4 kunnen aanvullen'
  3. ^ CLT aims to launch new Dutch TV channel Oct. 2
  4. ^ World Briefs
  5. ^ a b "RTL 5". frankhallie.nl. Archived from the original on December 4, 2007. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "RTL5-televisievormgeving". Beeldengeluidwiki.nl. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  7. ^ Dutch Channel Ready To Go
  8. ^ SBS Firing Up Its Cable Web
  9. ^ SBS set to bid on RTL 5 web
  10. ^ Nieuwszender RTL5 wordt betaaltelevisie
  11. ^ RTL 5 Nieuws & Weer mikt op het gevoel
  12. ^ SBS klaagt RTL5 aan in Brussel
  13. ^ HMG denies dodging EC regulations
  14. ^ RTL5
  15. ^ RTL 5 wordt een financiële nieuwszender
  16. ^ CONCENTRATION AND DIVERSITY OF THE DUTCH MEDIA 2002
  17. ^ Yorin wordt RTL7
  18. ^ "RTL Z verhuist naar nieuwe zender RTL 7". June 28, 2005.
  19. ^ Yorin wijkt voor RTL7
  20. ^ Big Brother van start met nieuw seizoen op RTL5 en Videoland
  21. ^ "RTL Text". winacties.rtl.nl.
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