AVROTROS (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌaːvroːˈtrɔs]) is a public broadcaster within the Dutch public broadcasting system. It officially launched on 1 January 2014 as the result of a merger between the Algemene Vereniging Radio Omroep (AVRO) and the Televisie Radio Omroep Stichting (TROS). From 7 September 2014 onward, all programmes of both organisations were broadcast exclusively under the AVROTROS name.[4] The broadcaster positions itself as a general-audience, politically and religiously neutral organisation, with programming centred on accessible culture and contributing to an informed, safe and fair society.
 | |
| Type | Public broadcasting association |
|---|---|
| Branding |
|
| Country | Netherlands |
| Founded | 1 January 2014 |
| Motto | De omroep voor ons (lit. 'The broadcaster for [all of] us') |
| Headquarters | Witte Kruislaan 55, Hilversum |
Key people | Taco Zimmerman (CEO) |
Official website | Official website  |
| Replaced | |
History
editPredecessors
editAVRO originated in 1923 as the Hilversumsche Draadlooze Omroep (HDO), founded by the Nederlandsche Seintoestellen Fabriek (NSF). It was one of the earliest organised radio broadcasters in the Netherlands and the country's oldest public broadcasting association. In 1927, HDO merged with the Nederlandsche Omroep Vereeniging (NOV) to form the Algemene Vereniging Radio Omroep (lit. 'General Radio Broadcasting Association').
At the time, Dutch society was organised into distinct religious and political pillars, each maintaining its own broadcasting institutions. AVRO positioned itself outside this pillarised structure by adopting a neutral profile aimed at the general public, irrespective of ideological or confessional affiliation.[5] Owing to this stance, the broadcaster was commonly associated with the liberal pillar, which opposed the segmentation of society into separate denominational spheres.[5] From 2000 until the 2014 merger, AVRO was headquartered in the AKN building in Hilversum.
TROS was founded in 1964 as a successor to the offshore pirate broadcaster TV Noordzee, which had operated from the REM platform before being shut down under the 1964 REM Act. TROS embraced a popularist, entertainment-driven style and quickly grew into one of the Netherlands' most popular broadcasters. From 1970 onward, it operated from the former Christelijk Lyceum building in Hilversum.
Merger and consolidation
editOn 20 June 2012, it was announced that AVRO and TROS would relocate to the former Wereldomroep building as part of their merger process.[6] The merger was formalised in 2014.
Due to limitations to the number of public broadcasters that can get permanent recognition, AVROTROS has formed a cooperative broadcasting organisation (samenwerkingsomroep) with PowNed since 2022, enabling them to operate under a joint broadcasting licence.[7] In 2025, the two organisations announced plans to form a shared 'broadcasting house' (omroephuis) by 2029, integrating organisational structures while maintaining distinct identities.[8]
Identity
editProgrammes
editPresenters
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Organisatie & Bestuur". AVROTROS (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 April 2026.
Sinds 2020 voert AVROTROS de pay off: de omroep voor ons. Hiermee onderstrepen we dat we er echt voor iedereen zijn.
[Since 2020, AVROTROS has used the payoff "De omroep voor ons". This underscores our commitment to serving the entire population.] - 1 2 "Verslag Raad van Toezicht". AVROTROS (in Dutch). February 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
AVROTROS is een algemene omroep, gericht op een breed publiek
[AVROTROS is a general-interest broadcaster, aimed at a broad audience] - 1 2 "AVROTROS wil 'de omroep voor ons' zijn". Spreekbuis.nl (in Dutch). 6 November 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ↑ "Historie". AVROTROS (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Ontzuiling". Canon van Nederland (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
De liberale zuil bestond eigenlijk meer tegen wil en dank. De liberalen waren namelijk tegen de verzuiling. Zo wilde de liberale AVRO de enige omroep zijn voor iedereen, los van geloof of politieke overtuiging.
[The liberal pillar was, in effect, formed against its own preferences, as the liberals rejected the pillarised organisation of society. In line with this position, the liberal AVRO aspired to serve as a universal broadcaster, addressing audiences regardless of their religious or political convictions.] - ↑ "Avro en Tros willen naar Wereldomroep-pand". De Gooi- en Eemlander (in Dutch). 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ "Samenwerkingsomroepen concessieperiode 2022-2026" (PDF). Commissariaat voor de Media (in Dutch). 29 June 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ↑ "AVROTROS en PowNed willen samen in nog nieuw te vormen omroephuis". NOS (in Dutch). 8 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ↑ "Financieel verslag 2023" (PDF). AVROTROS (in Dutch). 3 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
Onze werkwijze is niet links of rechts georiënteerd en er hangt geen specifieke stroming of geloof aan vast.
[Our approach is not oriented to the left or the right, nor is it tied to any particular movement or faith.] - ↑ "Historie". AVROTROS (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 April 2026.
Met een breed aanbod van toegankelijke programma's over cultuur en rechtvaardigheid verrijken we Nederland al jaren. Hiermee stimuleren we de gezamenlijke beleving van zoveel mogelijk Nederlanders en werken we aan een goed geïnformeerde, veilige en rechtvaardige samenleving.
[For years, we have enriched the Netherlands with a wide range of accessible programmes about culture and justice. In doing so, we encourage shared experiences among as many people as possible and contribute to an informed, safe and fair society.]
External links
edit
Media related to AVROTROS at Wikimedia Commons- Official website (in Dutch)
