The Dutch version of Nickelodeon, broadcasting free-to-cable in the Netherlands and through satellite in Belgium, and launched on 14 July 2003.[1][2] In addition to the general Nickelodeon programmes, original productions such as ZOOP, Het Huis Anubis, and SuperNick are also broadcast. The Dutch Kids' Choice Awards were presented in three years (2004, 2005 and 2007), featuring nominees that are relevant to Dutch audiences. In 2010, the US Kids' Choice Awards aired, which included categories for the Netherlands and Belgium inserted into the broadcast.
Nickelodeon has a separate version in Belgium with advertising and programming variations for Belgian viewers. All Belgian cable and ISP providers carry the Belgian version, with the satellite provider TV Vlaanderen offering only the Dutch version, as it uses the feed of the Dutch CanalDigitaal.
In recent years, with the increase of on-demand services, the market share of the Nickelodeon channel has declined in the Netherlands. In 2019, the channel recorded an average daily market share of 0.7%, which reduced to 0.4% in 2020.[3] In comparison, Nickelodeon had a market share of 2.1% in 2009.[4]
History
Nickelodeon replaced a similarly-themed channel, Kindernet (launched in 1988), in 2003 after it was acquired by Viacom at the end of the year 2001.[5] Before this, Nickelodeon aired as a programming block on Kindernet from 1.00 to 3.00 PM, starting in February 2002.[6][7] Throughout the course of 2003, Nickelodeon programming began to gain more prominence on Kindernet outside of the block, before expanding into a 24-hour channel on 14 July.[8] As a result, Kindernet was degraded into a morning block, which later became Nick Jr.[9][1]
On 1 August 2005, Nickelodeon began time-sharing with Talpa, now airing between 6.00 AM and 6.00 PM.[10] By the end of the year 2006, MTV's deal with Talpa ended and Nickelodeon began sharing channel space with The Box Comedy on 1 December.[11] Nickelodeon extended its airtime up until 8.00 PM and The Box Comedy changed into Comedy Central on 30 April 2007.[12]
Comedy Central switched to TMF on 1 January 2011, and Nickelodeon resumed its 24-hour broadcast on 14 February.[13] Sometime after, a TeenNick block was added to the channel's schedule during the overnight hours, airing between 9.00 PM and 6.00 AM. All programming on Nickelodeon's regular schedule is available in Dutch, with the exception of Dutch-Belgian productions.
A high-definition simulcast of Nickelodeon was slated to launch through UPC Netherlands on 3 April 2012, but ended up being delayed due to technical issues.[14] Nickelodeon HD eventually launched on 13 September 2012, the time through KPN Interactive TV.[15]
On 1 October 2015, sister channel Spike was launched and initially aired during Nickelodeon's overnight hours.[16][17] On 12 December 2016, Spike became its own 24-hour channel on Ziggo, before launching on other providers (such as KPN, Telfort, XS4ALL, Caiway and T-Mobile Thuis) three months later.
Nickelodeon continues to air 24/7 in the Netherlands, broadcasting TeenNick programming at night and also introducing a version of The Splat. In Belgium, Spike and Nickelodeon continue to time-sharing.[18][19][20]
Since 2002, Stichting Kijkonderzoek (SKO) has been monitoring the viewer ratings for Nickelodeon programmes in the Netherlands. Between 2003 and 2017, SKO published an annual list of the most-watched broadcasts of the channel. From 2018 onwards, it publishes a list of the most-watched programmes within the Viacom-owned network.[21]
Most-watch Nickelodeon broadcast per year (2003–present)[21]
Nicktoons is a Dutch TV channel broadcasting in the Netherlands and Belgium, which mostly airs cartoons. It launched together with NickMusic on 2 August 2007. At daytime the cartoons are dubbed in Dutch and at night the cartoons are spoken in English, but subtitled in Dutch.[22]
Nick Jr.
Nick Jr. logo
Nick Jr. is a preschooler's channel and is the sister channel to Nickelodeon. After the transition of Kindernet to Nickelodeon in 2003[23] Nick Jr. became a programme block on Nickelodeon in the morning.[1] Nick Jr. would launch as a separate 24-hour channel on 1 January 2005 but due to some capacity issues it eventually launched a few months later on 1 May.[24]
NickMusic
NickMusic logo
NickMusic (formerly Nick Hits) is a digital music video channel for children. It launched together with Nicktoons on 2 August 2007.[22]
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