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Veronica TV
Veronica TV
from Wikipedia

Veronica is a Dutch free-to-air commercial television channel currently a part of Talpa TV (Talpa Network). The channel was launched as TV10 Gold on 1 May 1995, then became TV10, Fox, Fox 8 and V8, before becoming Veronica on 20 September 2003. The channel is dedicated to young adults (13-35 demographic)[1] and the male audience.[2]

Key Information

Veronica is time-sharing with Disney Jr.: Disney Jr. broadcasts on daytime and Veronica on night time, the practice began when Saban International bought TV10 in January 1997, and launched a Fox Kids slot on the channel. Before May 1st, 2025, Disney XD was broadcast on the timeslot.

It is not to be confused with the Veronica Association (Dutch: Vereniging Veronica).

History

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TV10 Gold and TV10 (1995-1998)

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In 1995, Dutch media company Arcade launched two television channels in the Netherlands: The Music Factory, a competing music channel for MTV, and TV10 Gold which launched on 1 May 1995. TV10 Gold's programming focused on reruns of classic TV series such as Dynasty, Fantasy Island, James Herriot, Hill Street Blues, Are You Being Served?, The Monkees, The Onedin Line, Sanford and Son, Bergerac and Colditz.[3]

In 1996, TV10 Gold became part of the second largest Dutch media corporation Wegener Arcade. On 1 January 1996, Arcade merged with publishing company Wegener.[4] In the first quarter of 1996, TV10 Gold changed into just TV10 to modernize its image. British sitcoms such as 'Allo 'Allo! and You Rang, M'Lord? remained part of the programming, along with the American TV series M*A*S*H.[5]

In January 1997, Saban International bought TV10 and partnered with Holland Media Groep. Fox/Saban's Fox Kids was introduced in the Netherlands, time-sharing with TV10.[6] Within the year, the partnership ended and Holland Media Groep's shares of TV10 were bought by Fox.

Fox and Fox 8 (1998-2001)

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On 19 December 1998, TV10 was rebranded into Fox.[7] Rupert Murdoch's Fox International Channels wanted to expand in Europe and through its cooperation with Saban it could make its first try-outs in the Netherlands with TV10.[8] Popular TV series such as Sex and the City, Dawson's Creek, Malcolm in the Middle and Charmed premiered on the channel.[9] Fox became Fox 8 in September 1999, but it rebranded back to Fox in September 2000. However, Fox could not get rid of TV10's image as an old-fashioned rerun channel.[citation needed]

In 2001, SBS Broadcasting B.V., then the Dutch branch of the SBS Broadcasting Group, bought the channel from the News Corporation.[10]

21st Century Fox (the legal successor of the original News Corporation) later launched the second incarnation of Fox on 19 August 2013 through Eredivisie Media & Marketing CV, in which Fox Networks Group Benelux has a 51% share.

V8 (2001-2003)

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The logo of V8

SBS, having bought the channel from News Corporation, renamed it into V8 on 1 May 2001 in anticipation of Veronica.[11] Earlier in 2000 Veronica Association announced that it would leave the Holland Media Groep and wanted to start a channel of its own.[12] SBS and Veronica could not get an agreement and it would take more than two years before both parties closed a deal.

V8 was focused to young adults. The channel mainly broadcast action series, action films and erotic programmes late at night.[13]

Veronica (2003-present)

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Eventually, Veronica Association closed a deal with SBS, and V8 was rebranded as Veronica on 20 September 2003.[14][15]

The German ProSiebenSat.1 Media took over SBS Broadcasting Group (including its Dutch activities) on 27 June 2007.[16] In 2011, all of SBS's activities in the Netherlands (through SBS Broadcasting B.V.), including the three TV stations (SBS6, Net5 and Veronica), the two TV guides (Veronica Magazine and Totaal TV), production, design and text activities were sold to a joint venture between Sanoma Media Netherlands (67%) and Talpa Media Holding (33%).[17]

On 10 April 2017 Talpa Holding acquired a 67% stake from Sanoma Media Netherlands.[18]

Disney Jr.

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The daytime slot for children broadcast on Veronica began as Fox Kids when Saban bought TV10. The slot since rebranded to Jetix and then to Disney XD. On May 1st 2025, the daytime slot was replaced by the preschool channel Disney Jr.

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Veronica TV is a Dutch commercial owned and operated by , targeting young adults with a focus on entertainment programming such as action movies, TV series, sports events, and reality shows. Launched originally as TV10 Gold on May 1, 1995, the channel underwent several rebrands, including stints as TV10, , V8, and Fox 8, before adopting its current name on September 20, 2003, when it became part of the Veronica media . The Veronica itself traces its roots to a pioneering radio station in the , which evolved into a public broadcaster before transitioning to commercial television in the late . As part of Talpa Network's portfolio alongside channels like , Net5, and SBS9, Veronica TV is accessible via cable, satellite (including Astra 3B and Eutelsat 9B), and the KIJK streaming platform, with an HD feed available since the early . The channel shares broadcasting space with Disney Jr. during certain hours (since May 1, 2025) and maintains a strong online presence through veronica.nl and related sites for additional content and updates.

History

TV10 Gold and TV10 (1995–1998)

TV10 Gold was launched on 1 May by the Dutch media company Wegener Arcade as a cable-only in the , marking one of the early entrants in the country's nascent landscape. The channel targeted audiences with s of classic American and international television series, emphasizing nostalgic content from previous decades to fill its 24-hour schedule. Programming highlights included shows such as Dynasty and , which exemplified the "best of 40 years of TV history" approach adopted by the station. Other staples featured , , , and British comedies like Are You Being Served?, positioning TV10 Gold as a dedicated service amid competition from dominant public broadcasters like the NOS. As a commercial entity, it introduced advertising breaks to sustain operations, a novelty in the Dutch market still largely controlled by ad-free public television. In early 1996, amid low viewer ratings and an outdated "old stuff" image, TV10 Gold underwent a to simply TV10 to attract a broader, more contemporary audience while retaining some core rerun elements. The shift incorporated more modern imported programming, including British sitcoms such as and American series like , alongside continuing broadcasts of favorites like and . This evolution aimed to balance nostalgia with fresher content, though availability remained confined to cable networks across the , limiting reach compared to terrestrial public channels. Under Wegener Arcade's ownership, the station faced financial pressures from modest advertising revenues and intense rivalry with established broadcasters, contributing to its short-lived independent run. These formative years under the TV10 Gold and TV10 banners established a foundation for the channel's subsequent transition toward youth-oriented programming in the Fox era.

Fox and Fox 8 (1998–2001)

In 1997, Saban International acquired a stake in TV10 and introduced a daytime programming block operated by Europe, featuring popular animated series aimed at children and proving highly successful in attracting young viewers. This block shared airtime with TV10's evening content, establishing a dual focus on family-oriented programming during the day. On December 19, 1998, TV10 underwent a significant rebranding to Fox, driven by Fox International Channels' expansion strategy in Europe, with a deliberate emphasis on youth and women's entertainment to broaden its appeal beyond classic reruns. The channel pivoted toward imported teen dramas, including premieres of series like Sex and the City and Dawson's Creek, which resonated with a younger demographic seeking relatable stories of relationships and personal growth. This shift marked Fox's transition to a more contemporary, targeted youth network while retaining the successful Fox Kids daytime block. In September 1999, the channel rebranded to Fox 8, expanding its evening lineup to include edgier content for young adults, such as more mature themes in dramas and comedies that appealed to viewers in their late teens and twenties. In September 2000, the channel rebranded back to . Despite strong daytime performance from , evening slots struggled with ratings, prompting ongoing adjustments to programming strategies. The block continued uninterrupted, providing a stable foundation for the channel's youth-oriented identity. In April 2001, SBS Broadcasting Group acquired Fox 8 from in a deal valued at approximately €86.6 million, involving shares and debt assumption, which integrated the channel into SBS's expanding Dutch media portfolio alongside stations like SBS 6 and NET 5. This acquisition, completed later that year, allowed SBS to leverage Fox 8's youth focus for synergies in content distribution and advertising, though it soon led to further rebranding under SBS management. The daytime partnership persisted beyond the acquisition, evolving into subsequent collaborations.

V8 (2001–2003)

V8 was launched on 1 May 2001 by SBS Broadcasting Nederland, following the acquisition and rebranding of the Fox 8 channel from . The channel shared its frequency with during daytime hours, while V8 occupied the evening and nighttime slots. Targeting a primarily male demographic aged 18-35, V8 aimed to appeal to a youthful, adventurous audience through provocative and high-energy content, positioning itself as the third entertainment channel in SBS's portfolio alongside and Net5. The programming emphasized action-oriented fare, including films and series such as and , alongside extreme sports coverage and music videos to capture the channel's edgy vibe. Dutch-produced reality formats and game shows added local flavor, with examples like Hitch Bitch, a road-trip adventure series, and AXE Night Guide, a nightlife-oriented program sponsored by the grooming brand. Late-night slots featured softcore erotic content to further target the male skew, contributing to V8's rebellious and sexy branding. These elements formed the core pillars of action, adventure, and entertainment under SBS's strategy. Despite these efforts, V8 struggled with viewer acquisition in a competitive market dominated by established players like RTL and public broadcasters, resulting in persistently low ratings. The channel's short lifespan of just over two years highlighted these growth challenges, prompting SBS to seek a . This experimental phase laid groundwork for Veronica's enduring male-skewed identity by establishing a foundation in action and provocative programming.

Veronica (2003–present)

On 20 September 2003, SBS Broadcasting relaunched its V8 channel as Veronica, reviving the Veronica brand, originally from a pioneering radio station launched in 1960, and acquiring the associated youth magazine Veronica (launched in 1947). The rebranding positioned the channel as an entertainment outlet targeting viewers aged 13 to 35, with an emphasis on edgy programming appealing particularly to males. Ownership of Veronica underwent significant changes in the following years. In 2007, AG acquired SBS Broadcasting, including its Dutch operations encompassing Veronica, for €3.3 billion, creating a major pan-European broadcaster. In 2011, the Dutch SBS assets, including Veronica, , and Net5, were sold to a between (67%) and Talpa Media Holding (33%) for €1.225 billion. By 2017, Talpa acquired Sanoma's remaining 67% stake for €237 million, gaining full control and integrating Veronica into as a sister channel to , Net5, and SBS9. Headquartered in at Bergweg 70, Veronica expanded to free-to-air terrestrial broadcasting via Digitenne on channel 9, broadening its accessibility beyond cable and satellite platforms. As of 2025, the channel maintains its nighttime schedule in (HDTV) while simulcasting in (SDTV), continuing to target young adults aged 13 to 35, with a core focus on male viewers. In May 2025, Veronica entered a arrangement with Disney Jr., which now occupies the daytime slot previously held by .

Daytime Partnership

Fox Kids to Disney XD (1997–2025)

In 1997, the daytime programming slot on the Dutch television channel, previously known as TV10, was transformed into the Fox Kids block through a partnership between Saban International and News Corporation. Launched on August 2, 1997, this block targeted children aged 7-15 with action-oriented animated series, including Power Rangers and X-Men: The Animated Series, which became staples of the schedule and helped establish the channel's appeal to tweens with high-energy adventures and superhero themes. The initiative followed Saban's acquisition of TV10 in January 1997, marking an early expansion of the international Fox Kids brand into the Netherlands and Belgium via cable and satellite distribution. By 2005, following Disney's 2001 acquisition of Fox Kids Europe, the block underwent a significant rebranding to Jetix on February 13, 2005, shifting focus toward action-adventure content for tweens while retaining the daytime time-share with the adult-oriented Veronica programming in the evenings. Jetix emphasized original and licensed series like W.I.T.C.H. and Pucca, which blended fantasy, comedy, and martial arts elements to engage a slightly older youth audience, and the channel operated as a 14-hour daily feed from early morning to evening. This rebranding aligned with Jetix Europe's broader strategy to phase out the Fox Kids identity across Europe, prioritizing boy-skewing narratives and interactive elements. The transition to Disney XD occurred on January 1, 2010, as the final European Jetix feed was rebranded, integrating more Disney-original content while maintaining the 04:00–18:00 broadcast window and pay-TV availability through cable providers like and UPC. Programming evolved to include family-friendly animated hits such as and later Star vs. the Forces of Evil, which combined humor, invention, and magical storytelling to appeal to a broad 6-14 age range. This era solidified the daytime slot's role as a dedicated children's hub, complementing Veronica's nighttime lineup of entertainment and sports for adults. Disney XD's run concluded on May 1, 2025, with a ceremonial closedown featuring continuity announcements and farewells, paving the way for the relaunch of Disney Jr. in the same slot; legacy content from the block remained accessible via and the separate Disney Channel linear feed. The handover underscored shifting viewer habits toward on-demand platforms, ending nearly three decades of evolving children's programming on the channel.

Disney Jr. (2025–present)

On May 1, 2025, Disney Jr. launched as the new daytime partner for in the , replacing the previous block that had occupied the slot since 1997. This shift marked a pivot to preschool-focused content, airing approximately from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CET and targeting children aged 2-7 with educational and entertaining animated series. The programming lineup features flagship shows such as Bluey, , and , all produced and owned by , emphasizing themes of friendship, problem-solving, and imagination tailored for young viewers. Under the time-sharing agreement, Disney Jr. occupies the daytime hours, while Veronica takes over for nighttime programming starting around 6:00 p.m., with both utilizing the same broadcast frequencies on Digitenne channel 9. This partnership was driven by declining viewership among tweens for action-oriented content like that on , prompting a strategic refocus on the more stable preschool demographic amid broader shifts in children's media consumption. It includes cross-promotional tie-ins, such as on-air mentions of full episodes available on Disney+, to enhance accessibility and viewer engagement across linear and streaming platforms.

Programming

Entertainment Programming

Veronica TV's entertainment programming primarily targets young adults aged 13 to 35, with a notable skew toward male viewers, focusing on content that appeals to their interests in high-energy and engaging formats. The channel's nighttime schedule, typically spanning from around 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM, emphasizes binge-worthy imports from the and alongside original Dutch productions, creating a lineup suited for evening viewing. This block prioritizes scripted series, films, and reality formats over daytime offerings, integrating briefly with sports during major live events when applicable. Key genres include action series and films, which form a core of the programming to attract the channel's demographic. Blockbusters such as the franchise are regularly aired in evening slots, providing high-octane thrillers like Fast & Furious 7 that highlight car chases and adventure. Similarly, action-packed movies like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen exemplify the emphasis on explosive, visual spectacles broadcast during primetime. These selections underscore Veronica's deals with major studios to deliver recent and popular titles, establishing the channel's reputation for cinematic entertainment. Comedies and reality shows add variety, balancing the action-heavy slate with lighter, relatable content. Imported US sitcoms such as and air multiple episodes in blocks, allowing viewers to engage with humorous, character-driven stories. On the reality front, formats like Temptation Island explore interpersonal drama and challenges, drawing in audiences with unscripted narratives. Original Dutch content ties into the Talpa Network's production strengths, featuring reality competitions and specials that resonate locally. The talk show Veronica Inside (later renamed Vandaag Inside and moved to SBS6 as of 2021), which blended entertainment discussions with football and social topics, aired on Veronica from 2018 to 2021. Classic Dutch comedies like Flodder, originally produced for the channel in the 1990s, continue to be rerun, offering satirical takes on family dynamics that align with the target audience's preferences. These homegrown elements, including music specials linked to Talpa events, enhance the schedule's appeal by combining global imports with culturally specific programming.

Sports Programming

Veronica TV has established itself as a broadcaster of sports programming targeted at young adults, with a particular emphasis on football and combat sports appealing to its demographic. The channel's sports coverage includes live broadcasts, highlights, and analysis, often featuring expert commentary to engage viewers. Football forms a key part of Veronica TV's sports offerings, with rights to broadcast matches involving the Netherlands women's national team and select games as of the early 2020s. These transmissions include pre- and post-match analysis by pundits such as and , providing insights into tactics and player performances. The channel's football coverage aligns with Talpa Network's broader sports strategy, fostering viewer interaction through online platforms. From 2019 to 2021, Veronica TV held rights to broadcast (UFC) events, airing live fights and highlights to capitalize on the growing popularity of in the . Following the expiration of these rights, UFC coverage shifted to Discovery+ in 2022. The channel occasionally features other combat sports or extreme events to maintain its action-oriented sports block.

References

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