VTM 2
VTM 2 is a Belgian Dutch-language commercial television channel owned by DPG Media.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
VTM 2 is a Belgian commercial television channel serving the Dutch-speaking market, particularly viewers in Flanders. It is part of the VTM channel family and is owned by DPG Media, the media group that also operates the main VTM channel and other media properties. The channel has existed under several names and identities since its launch in 1995, reflecting repeated attempts to define its audience, programming mix and relationship with the flagship VTM brand. The service began on 31 January 1995 as Ka2, the second Flemish private television channel. It launched one day before VT4 and was initially conceived as a more sophisticated or highbrow complement to VTM, with the public broadcaster's BRTN TV2 as an important point of comparison. Its initial visual identity was created by Lambie-Nairn and received a gold medal at the 1995 Promax UK Conference Awards. The first concept proved difficult to sustain, however. Internal debate surrounded whether the channel should maintain a distinct identity or function more clearly as a second VTM service. Programming during this period included the locally produced and controversial sex-themed talk show Vanavond niet, schat. Within less than a year, the channel was repositioned and renamed Kanaal 2. The new incarnation pursued a younger audience and made extensive use of relatively inexpensive American imports. In 2000, the name changed again to KANAALTWEE. This period included the first Flemish adaptation of Big Brother, which became a major ratings success and delivered the channel its strongest audience performance up to that point. Despite that success, the channel was later viewed as lacking a sufficiently consistent identity, and viewing figures declined. On 12 February 2008, KANAALTWEE became 2BE. The rebrand was intended to reverse falling ratings and give the service a clearer personality. The name retained the number two while adding “BE”, a reference to Belgium's country code. In September 2016, 2BE became Q2, extending the identity of DPG Media's Qmusic radio brand into television. On 31 August 2020, Q2 was relaunched as VTM 2 as part of a broader rebranding of DPG Media's four main television channels. The current name places the service more explicitly within the VTM family while preserving its role as a distinct channel rather than simply duplicating the flagship network. VTM 2's programming history has combined imported entertainment with Flemish productions, reality formats, comedy, sitcoms, game and quiz shows, interactive daytime television, lifestyle programming and sports-related content. Its historical Flemish programming has included Big Brother and its celebrity variant, Benelux' Next Top Model, Expeditie Robinson, Benidorm Bastards, Foute Vrienden, Pitstop.TV, and several comedy and entertainment programs. Because DPG Media operates multiple channels, programs can move between VTM services, particularly when one network repeats or supplements programming from another. A notable recent programming development was the acquisition of the Belgian broadcasting rights to the Australian soap opera Neighbours. After VRT chose not to renew its long-running arrangement, VTM 2 began airing the soap on 14 June 2021. The channel subsequently broadcast the remaining episodes of the original run and aired the final part of the finale on 1 February 2024. Rights to the revived version of Neighbours were subsequently transferred to the competing channel Play 5. VTM 2 remains an active component of DPG Media's Belgian television portfolio, positioned as a general-entertainment service within the VTM family.
History
VTM 2 launched in Belgium on 31 January 1995 under the name Ka2. It was the second Flemish private television channel, entering the market shortly before VT4. The original concept positioned Ka2 as a more highbrow companion to VTM and as a competitor to BRTN TV2. Its visual identity was developed by Lambie-Nairn and received a gold medal at the 1995 Promax UK Conference Awards. The channel's early strategy was not fully successful. Questions arose over whether it should maintain a separate character or operate more visibly as a second VTM service. Among its local productions was Vanavond niet, schat, a controversial talk show focused on sex. The initial format was subsequently revised. Within less than a year, Ka2 was renamed Kanaal 2. The new service targeted a younger audience and relied heavily on affordable American imports. Its identity was further changed in 2000, when the channel adopted the all-capital name KANAALTWEE. This era produced an important local television success: the first Flemish adaptation of Big Brother. The format achieved the channel's highest ratings to that date and was accompanied by a celebrity-related version. Nevertheless, the wider channel identity remained unsettled, and audience performance later weakened. On 12 February 2008, KANAALTWEE became 2BE. The change was intended to improve the channel's performance after a substantial decline in its audience share compared with the earlier KANAALTWEE period. The new name retained the number two and added “BE”, evoking Belgium's ISO country code. In September 2016, 2BE was renamed Q2, linking the television service to DPG Media's Qmusic radio brand. This represented an attempt to create a more integrated media identity while preserving the channel's established numerical association. The next major change came on 31 August 2020, when Q2 became VTM 2. The name change was part of a coordinated rebranding of DPG Media's four principal television channels. VTM 2 thereby became more clearly associated with the VTM family and its flagship channel, while remaining a separate programming service. DPG Media's ownership of several channels and radio stations means that programs, especially repeats, may be transferred between services. Across its different names, the channel has carried a mixture of Flemish and imported programming. Its former local output included reality, comedy, factual entertainment, sitcoms, game shows, interactive daytime television, lifestyle formats and motor-sport programming. Examples include Big Brother, Benelux' Next Top Model, Expeditie Robinson, Benidorm Bastards, Foute Vrienden, Pitstop.TV, The Raf & Ronny Show, Familie Backeljau, AstroContact and several interactive or quiz-based programs. The channel has also used internationally developed formats adapted for Flemish audiences. In 2021, VTM 2 obtained the Belgian broadcasting rights for Neighbours after the public broadcaster VRT decided not to renew its contract. VTM 2's first episode aired on 14 June 2021, shortly after the program's final broadcast on its previous Belgian home. The channel continued to air episodes from the 2021 production period and eventually broadcast the final part of the original finale on 1 February 2024. After the revival of the soap, rights to the revived version were transferred to the competing Play 5 channel. VTM 2 continues as an active DPG Media channel serving Belgium's Dutch-speaking television audience.
- 2024
Broadcasts the original Neighbours finale
[1]The final part of the original Neighbours finale aired on VTM 2 on 1 February.
- 2021
Begins broadcasting Neighbours
[1]VTM 2 aired its first Neighbours episode on 14 June after VRT's previous rights arrangement ended.
- 2020
Rebranded as VTM 2
[1]Q2 became VTM 2 on 31 August as part of a wider reorganization of DPG Media's principal television brands.
- 2016
Rebranded as Q2
[1]The channel adopted the Q2 name in September, extending DPG Media's Qmusic branding into television.
- 2008
Rebranded as 2BE
[1]KANAALTWEE became 2BE on 12 February in an effort to give the channel a clearer identity and improve audience performance.
- 2000
Renamed KANAALTWEE
[1]The channel adopted the all-capital KANAALTWEE identity and introduced a successful Flemish Big Brother adaptation.
- 1996
Renamed Kanaal 2
[1]The service was repositioned toward a younger audience and adopted the Kanaal 2 name.
- 1995
Launch as Ka2
[1]Ka2 launched on 31 January as the second Flemish private television channel, with a highbrow positioning alongside VTM.
- 1995
Ka2 visual identity receives Promax recognition
[1]The channel's identity, designed by Lambie-Nairn, received a gold medal at the 1995 Promax UK Conference Awards.
Products and positioning
A Dutch-language Belgian general-entertainment channel within the VTM family, combining imported programming with Flemish reality, comedy, factual entertainment and format adaptations.
Television channel · 2020
VTM 2
The current Dutch-language Belgian television service in the VTM family. It offers general entertainment, imported series, reality formats, comedy, factual programming, game shows and selected Flemish productions. Its identity has changed several times since 1995, but it has consistently served as a distinct companion channel to the main VTM service.
Imported television series · 2021
Neighbours
The Australian soap opera became a notable acquired program on VTM 2 after the channel secured Belgian rights in 2021. VTM 2 aired episodes from the 2021 production period and completed its broadcast of the original finale in February 2024 before rights to the revived version moved to Play 5.
Reality television format · 2000
Big Brother
The Flemish adaptation of Big Brother was introduced during the KANAALTWEE era. It became a significant ratings success for the channel and was accompanied by a celebrity-oriented version known as Big Brother & its BV.
Brand decisions
2021
Acquisition of Neighbours broadcasting rightsOtherBackground
VRT decided not to renew its long-running Belgian arrangement for the Australian soap opera.
Action taken
VTM 2 began broadcasting Neighbours from 14 June 2021.
Aftermath
VTM 2 carried the remaining episodes of the 2021 run and completed the original finale in February 2024. Rights to the revived series later moved to Play 5.
2020
Integration into the VTM channel familyStrategyBackground
DPG Media undertook a coordinated rebranding of its four main television channels.
Action taken
Q2 was renamed VTM 2 on 31 August 2020.
Aftermath
The service gained a closer association with the VTM master brand while remaining a separate channel.
2016
Rebrand from 2BE to Q2StrategyBackground
DPG Media sought to connect the television service with its Qmusic radio brand.
Action taken
2BE was renamed Q2 in September 2016.
Aftermath
The channel operated under the Q2 identity until its integration into the VTM family in 2020.
2008
Rebrand from KANAALTWEE to 2BEStrategyBackground
KANAALTWEE's reported audience share had fallen, and its branding was criticized as lacking a clear television personality.
Action taken
The service was renamed 2BE, retaining the number two while adding a reference to Belgium.
Aftermath
The rebrand was intended to give the channel a clearer face and improve ratings.
2000
Launch of the Flemish Big Brother adaptationProduct launchBackground
KANAALTWEE had sought a stronger audience proposition after earlier identity difficulties.
Action taken
The channel introduced the first Flemish adaptation of Big Brother.
Aftermath
The format became a major success and delivered the channel its highest ratings up to that point, although later viewing figures declined as the broader identity remained unclear.
1996
Repositioning from Ka2 to Kanaal 2StrategyBackground
The original Ka2 concept encountered format and identity problems soon after launch.
Action taken
The channel was renamed Kanaal 2 and redirected toward a younger audience, with a stronger reliance on imported American programming.
Aftermath
The repositioning established a more mass-market identity, although the channel continued to undergo further brand changes.
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