RTV Rijnmond

RTV Rijnmond is a Dutch regional public broadcaster serving Rotterdam, the Rijnmond metropolitan area and large parts of southern South Holland. Its activities include radio, television, online news, live streams, on-demand video, podcasts and social-media distribution. The broadcaster is headquartered in Rotterdam’s Lloydkwartier, where its radio and television operations are based. The organization’s origins lie in Radio Rijnmond, which began official broadcasting on 21 December 1983 after earlier technical tests. It was operated by the Stichting Regionale Omroep Rotterdam-Rijnmond and distinguished itself at the time by producing its own regional news rather than relying entirely on national news bulletins. Radio Rijnmond has traditionally broadcast continuously on 93.4 FM and is also available through DAB+, DVB-T and cable distribution. It serves as the region’s emergency broadcaster, meaning that authorities may use its airtime during disasters or other urgent public-safety situations. Its editorial staff continues to provide independent reporting during such events. Television developed separately from Stads TV Rotterdam, launched in 1989. That service became part of a Rijnmond public-private structure in 1997 and was fully incorporated into the public broadcasting system in 2000. Since 2 September 2019, the broadcaster has promoted the shorter Rijnmond identity rather than the full “RTV Rijnmond” name in its visual branding. The organization remains commonly identified by both names, particularly in descriptions of its radio and television services. Rijnmond’s television output combines news, current affairs, crime reporting, regional sports and coverage of major local events. Programs include Rijnmond Vandaag, Bureau Rijnmond and FC Rijnmond, alongside selected national programming such as the NOS Journaal in Makkelijke Taal. Regional football is a significant editorial area, with coverage of clubs including Feyenoord, Sparta Rotterdam and other teams in the region. The broadcaster also produces podcasts such as Sparta Naar Voren and Feyenoord: De Verlenging. The broadcaster’s reporting area includes Rotterdam and municipalities such as Dordrecht, Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Maassluis, Capelle aan den IJssel, Barendrecht, Nissewaard, Goeree-Overflakkee, Hoeksche Waard, Alblasserdam and Gorinchem. Its website publishes regional news, weather and traffic information, while also offering live radio, live or on-demand television and selected national news material. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, Bluesky and YouTube are used to distribute reporting and engage audiences. Since 1 January 2000, Rijnmond has operated as the designated regional public media organization for the southwestern part of South Holland under the Dutch Media Act framework. Its principal institutional funding is provided through the provincial government, with the annual contribution determined by the Dutch Media Authority. Advertising is permitted, but its proceeds must support the public media remit rather than generate profit for third parties. Rijnmond also collaborates with organizations including NOS, POINTER, LINQ Media and several regional broadcasters. In March 2026, it introduced the annual You’ll Never Walk Alone Award, with singer Lee Towers as its first recipient, recognizing a local resident who makes a notable contribution to society.

RTV Rijnmond developed from regional radio and television initiatives in Rotterdam and southern South Holland. Radio Rijnmond’s transmission facilities were tested in 1983, and official broadcasting began on 21 December that year. The service was formally operated by the Stichting Regionale Omroep Rotterdam-Rijnmond. In its early period, Radio Rijnmond was notable for creating its own regional news bulletins, at a time when many Dutch regional broadcasters relied more heavily on national news supplied from Hilversum. Radio Rijnmond established a continuous regional service on 93.4 MHz FM. Over time, its distribution expanded beyond conventional FM to include DAB+, DVB-T and cable networks. The radio service also acquired a formal emergency-broadcasting role. During disasters or other public emergencies, regional authorities can request airtime for public instructions, while the newsroom retains responsibility for independent reporting. The television operation originated with Stads TV Rotterdam, launched in 1989. In 1997, the television service entered a public-private Rijnmond structure in which private organizations supplied financial resources while the channel held a public broadcasting license. This arrangement ended in 2000, when TV Rijnmond became fully public. From that point, the radio and television services operated within the regional public media framework for southwestern South Holland. Rijnmond’s programming broadened from scheduled radio and television into a multi-platform regional news operation. Television output has included current-affairs reporting, crime investigation, sports discussion, event coverage and accessible national news. Rijnmond Vandaag provides regional current affairs, Bureau Rijnmond focuses on crime cases using surveillance footage and reconstructions, and FC Rijnmond covers football in the region. The broadcaster has also reported on events such as the World Port Days, the Rotterdam Marathon, Rotterdam Summer Carnival and the Roparun. The organization introduced a new visual identity on 2 September 2019 and increasingly used Rijnmond as the public-facing brand name. In December 2024, it added a studio enabling radio programs to appear on television as visual radio. A new television studio was reported as entering use in April 2026 for programs including FC Rijnmond and In gesprek met. Digital distribution is now central to the service. The Rijnmond website carries local and regional news, weather and traffic information and provides live radio, television access and on-demand viewing. Social channels including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, Bluesky and YouTube extend the reach of its journalism and create spaces for audience responses. Podcasts have become another important format, particularly for football coverage, including programs focused on Sparta Rotterdam and Feyenoord. Since 1 January 2000, Rijnmond has been the legally recognized regional public media organization for its part of South Holland. It is funded principally through the provincial government, with annual institutional funding determined by the Dutch Media Authority. Advertising revenue may be accepted but must be used to fulfill the public media mandate and may not be distributed as profit to third parties. Rijnmond works with national and regional partners including NOS, POINTER, LINQ Media, Omroep West, OPEN Rotterdam, RTV Lansingerland, Stichting WOS, RTV Dordrecht, Omroep Twee and Omroep Archipel. In 2026, it added the You’ll Never Walk Alone Award as an annual civic-recognition initiative.

• 2026

  You’ll Never Walk Alone Award established

  [1]RTV Rijnmonden.wikipedia.org

  Rijnmond launches an annual award recognizing a local resident’s contribution to society.

• 2024

  Visual radio studio opens

  [1]RTV Rijnmonden.wikipedia.org

  A new radio studio begins operation on 2 December, allowing radio broadcasts to be carried visually on television.

• 2019

  Rijnmond visual identity introduced

  [1]RTV Rijnmonden.wikipedia.org

  The broadcaster launches a new look and increasingly presents itself under the shorter Rijnmond name.

• 2000

  TV Rijnmond becomes fully public

  [1]RTV Rijnmonden.wikipedia.org

  The television service becomes a fully public channel, while Rijnmond assumes its role as the regional public media organization for southwestern South Holland.

• 1997

  Television joins the Rijnmond public-private structure

  [1]RTV Rijnmonden.wikipedia.org

  Stads TV Rotterdam is incorporated into a Rijnmond structure combining a public broadcasting license with private financial support.

• 1989

  Stads TV Rotterdam launches

  [1]RTV Rijnmonden.wikipedia.org

  The television service that later becomes part of TV Rijnmond begins as Stads TV Rotterdam.

• 1983

  Radio Rijnmond begins official broadcasting

  [1]RTV Rijnmonden.wikipedia.org

  After technical testing earlier in the year, Radio Rijnmond officially starts broadcasting on 21 December.

A publicly funded, regionally focused news and public-service media organization for Rotterdam and southern South Holland, combining local journalism, emergency communication, culture, events and sports coverage across broadcast and digital channels.

• Regional radio · 1983

  Radio Rijnmond

  Rijnmond’s 24-hour regional radio service provides local news, current affairs, traffic, weather, culture and sport. It broadcasts on 93.4 MHz FM and is additionally distributed through DAB+, DVB-T and cable systems. The service also functions as the official regional emergency broadcaster, carrying public instructions during serious incidents while maintaining an independent editorial role.

• Regional television · 1989

  TV Rijnmond

  TV Rijnmond is the broadcaster’s regional television service. It carries radio programming during part of the daytime schedule and television programs from the late afternoon onward. Its output includes news, current affairs, crime reporting, football analysis, event coverage and selected national public-service programs.

• Current-affairs television

  Rijnmond Vandaag

  Rijnmond Vandaag is a television current-affairs program covering developments in Rotterdam and southern South Holland. It is presented on weekdays and supported by a weekend overview, giving the channel a regular regional news and analysis format.

• Crime and public-information television

  Bureau Rijnmond

  Bureau Rijnmond is a weekly crime-investigation program that uses surveillance images, reconstructions and appeals for information to draw attention to unresolved regional cases.

• Regional football television

  FC Rijnmond

  FC Rijnmond discusses the performance and news of football clubs in the region. The program is generally presented by Bart Nolles and features former players and Rijnmond football commentators as recurring guests.

• Podcasting

  Regional podcasts

  Rijnmond’s podcast portfolio includes football-focused productions such as Sparta Naar Voren about Sparta Rotterdam and Feyenoord: De Verlenging about Feyenoord, extending its regional sports journalism beyond broadcast schedules.

• 2026You’ll Never Walk Alone Award

  Rotterdam-Rijnmond

  Rijnmond created an annual award intended to recognize a local person who makes a meaningful contribution to society. The award is presented around the birthday of its recipient.

  Outcome. Lee Towers, also known as Leen Huijzer, received the first award on 23 March 2026.

  Source
• 2019Rijnmond rebrand

  Rotterdam-Rijnmond · Southern South Holland

  Rijnmond introduced a new visual identity on 2 September 2019 and moved away from using RTV Rijnmond as the primary public-facing brand name.

  Outcome. The shorter Rijnmond name became the prominent identity while RTV Rijnmond remained the formal and widely used organizational designation.

  Source

• 2024

  Move to visual radioGeneration change

  Background

  Audience consumption increasingly spans radio, television and digital video, creating demand for integrated studio production.

  Action taken

  Rijnmond opened a radio studio able to transmit radio programs visually on television from 2 December 2024.

  Aftermath

  Radio output could be reused more directly for television and digital video distribution.

  Source

• 2019

  Adoption of the Rijnmond brand identityStrategy

  Background

  The broadcaster sought to update its visual presentation and simplify the name used in public branding.

  Action taken

  A new identity was introduced and the full RTV Rijnmond name was no longer emphasized in the visual brand.

  Aftermath

  Rijnmond became the principal consumer-facing name across the broadcaster’s channels.

  Source

• 2000

  Transition to fully public televisionStrategy

  Background

  TV Rijnmond had operated within a public-private structure after joining the Rijnmond organization in 1997.

  Action taken

  The television service became fully public and operated within the regional public media system.

  Aftermath

  Rijnmond’s television operation became part of the publicly funded regional broadcasting framework.

  Source

1. 1RTV Rijnmonden.wikipedia.org
2. 2RTV Rijnmond official websiterijnmond.nl