Broadcast budget cuts could spell doom for consumer affairs, sports programming

Public broadcaster hosts reacted with disappointment on Tuesday after it was announced that BNNVARA, AVROTROS, and other networks will be ending a number of popular shows.

Among the programs being cut is Wortelboer en Van Rossem, which has been on air for the past three years. Maarten van Rossem told ANP that he regrets the cancellation but is not surprised. “I understand why the decision was made. Clearly, there are political reasons; nothing is more dangerous than the left,” he said sarcastically. He added that claiming the public broadcaster is “left-wing” is completely baseless.

“There’s not much we can do. The Netherlands is moving in a different direction, and it’s not a positive one,” he added. “But I’m 82 now, and it doesn’t bother me at all anymore.”

Cornald Maas expressed disappointment over the cancellation of his program Opium op Oerol. On Instagram, he wrote: “Fighting for culture and the performing arts at NPO is still a hard battle, particularly for culture that doesn’t attract the biggest audiences. But I’m not giving up. We’ll produce one final glorious season of Opium op Oerol, the 18th! Luckily, Volle Zalen will continue to be firmly scheduled at AVROTROS and NPO. Onward with courage and determination!”

Jeremy Zijlstra, who bartends on BNNVARA’s First Dates, described the show’s cancellation as “sad and unfortunate.” He took over from Victor Abeln, who served as bartender for 15 seasons. “It feels strange that the mission to bring people together is ending so abruptly,” Zijlstra said. Although he was notified on Tuesday morning, he admitted he had “anticipated it from afar.”

The consumer program Kassa is also being discontinued. Presenter Amber Kortzorg described the news as “devastating and shocking.” “Advocating for citizens is one of the public broadcaster’s responsibilities, so I find it incomprehensible that this is coming to an end,” she said.

NOS Sport editor-in-chief Xander van der Wulp warned that sports broadcasting rights could be jeopardized by budget cuts at the public broadcaster. He made the remark while appearing on Pauw & de Wit.

Van der Wulp described the discussions as involving “very serious matters.” He noted that Eredivisie broadcasting rights are currently secured only temporarily. “They expire in a year and a half, which puts them squarely at risk,” he said. “Given the intensity and pace of these budget cuts, even NOS’s speed skating coverage is threatened, as that contract also happens to be ending.”