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Algemeen Dagblad
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The Algemeen Dagblad (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɑlɣəmeːn ˈdɑɣblɑt]; English: General Daily Paper), also known by its initialism AD ([aːˈdeː]) is a Dutch daily newspaper based in Rotterdam.
Key Information
History and profile
[edit]Algemeen Dagblad was founded in 1946. The paper is published in tabloid format and is headquartered in Rotterdam. Its regional focus includes the cities and regions around Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague.[1] In South Holland and Utrecht it is published and distributed with local dailies.[1] The national edition is for sale everywhere and distributed throughout the rest of the Netherlands. AD is owned and published by DPG Media, known as De Persgroep until 2019 and previously PCM Uitgevers.[2][3]
AD includes a regional supplement in the districts previously served by these regional papers. Two of them, the AD Haagsche Courant (for The Hague region) and the AD Rotterdams Dagblad (for the Rotterdam region) appear in both a morning and an evening edition.
- Rotterdams Dagblad -> AD Rotterdams Dagblad
- Goudsche Courant -> AD Groene Hart
- Rijn & Gouwe -> AD Groene Hart
- Haagsche Courant -> AD Haagsche Courant
- Utrechts Nieuwsblad -> AD Utrechts Nieuwsblad
- Amersfoortsche Courant -> AD Amersfoortsche Courant
- De Dordtenaar -> AD De Dordtenaar
- Dagblad Rivierenland -> AD Rivierenland
Chief editors
[edit]| Chief editor | Service |
|---|---|
| Jan Schraver | 1946–1947 |
| G.N. Leenders | 1947–1949 |
| G.A.W. Zalsman | 1949–1950 |
| Jacques Ratté | 1950–1958 |
| Anton van der Vet | 1958–1968 |
| Huibert Nicolaas Appel | 1968–1974 |
| Ron Abram & Karel Giel | 1975–1980 |
| Ron Abram | 1980–1993 |
| Peter van Dijk | 1993–2000 |
| Oscar Garschagen | 2000–2003 |
| Willem Ammerlaan | 2003–2004 |
| Jan Bonjer | 2004–2009 |
| Peter de Jonge | 2009–2010 |
| Christiaan Ruesink | 2010–2016 |
| Hans Nijenhuis | 2016–2021[4] |
| Rennie Rijpma | Since 2021 |
Het Vaderland
[edit]Het Vaderland was an independent newspaper founded in the Hague in 1869. In 1972, it became a regional supplement of Algemeen Dagblad for The Hague. In 1982, the newspaper was dissolved.[5]
Circulation
[edit]In the period of 1995–96 AD had a circulation of 401,000 copies, making it the second best-selling paper in the country.[6] In 2001, its circulation was 335,000 copies.[7] In 2013, the paper was the second largest paid newspaper of the Netherlands after De Telegraaf.[8] After a merger with seven regional newspapers on 1 September 2005 and ongoing reduction in readership, it had an average circulation merger of 365,912 copies in 2014.[8] In 2017, it was down to 341,249 copies.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Newspaper evaluation sheet Archived 2 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine European University Institute. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
- ^ Bart Van Besien (29 October 2010). "The case of Belgium". Media policies and regulatory practices in a selected set of European countries, the EU and the Council of Europe (PDF). Athens: The Mediadem Consortium. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 January 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
- ^ "A view on media concentration" (PDF). The Netherlands Media Authority. September 2002. Archived from the original (Report) on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Hans Nijenhuis nieuwe hoofdredacteur van het Algemeen Dagblad". ad.nl.
- ^ "Vaderland, Het (1869–1982)". SHIE (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ Media Policy: Convergence, Concentration & Commerce. SAGE Publications. 1998. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-4462-6524-6.
- ^ Adam Smith (15 November 2002). "Europe's Top Papers". campaign. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ a b "Betaalde oplage grootste kranten daalt verder". Telegraaf. 7 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Algemeen Dagblad at Wikimedia Commons
| Authority control databases: National |
|---|
Algemeen Dagblad
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview and profile
Founding and format
The Algemeen Dagblad (AD) was founded on April 29, 1946, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, by W. Pluygers and J. Versnel as a neutral daily newspaper in the immediate post-World War II era, when there was a pressing need for independent journalism following the Nazi occupation.[3] It was launched as a sister publication to the Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant, with the explicit purpose of delivering broad, general news coverage to a national audience—"algemeen" directly translating to "general" in Dutch—to fill the gap for accessible, unbiased reporting in a rebuilding society.[3][1] Originally issued in broadsheet format for its inaugural decades, the newspaper shifted to tabloid size in 2005 to improve readability and portability, aligning with trends in Dutch print media for greater public accessibility.[8] The AD's headquarters have remained in Rotterdam since inception, where its printing facilities are also located—a distinctive feature, as it stands as the sole major national Dutch newspaper produced outside Amsterdam.[7][1] Published exclusively in Dutch, the AD operates on a daily schedule with print editions distributed Monday through Saturday, while Sunday offerings emphasize digital formats and supplementary content to maintain continuous engagement. Today, it is published by DPG Media, which assumed ownership in 2009, though its foundational identity as a Rotterdam-based general news outlet persists without altering its core operational base.[3]Editorial stance and target audience
The Algemeen Dagblad (AD) maintains a generally neutral and impartial political position, rated as least biased by media analysts for its balanced representation of political perspectives across the spectrum. While it exhibits a slight center-right lean characteristic of its tabloid format, the newspaper emphasizes factual and accessible reporting without overt ideological bias, focusing instead on informing readers about events' direct impacts on their lives. This approach aligns with its self-described commitment to decency and reliability in journalism, avoiding sensationalism while providing straightforward coverage.[1][7][9] In terms of journalistic style, the AD adopts a popular and approachable tone, prioritizing broad-appeal content on news, sports, lifestyle, and local events over in-depth analytical pieces. Its tabloid presentation delivers concise, engaging stories that blend information with entertainment, such as weekend supplements on food, fashion, and travel, to cater to everyday readers seeking quick, relevant updates without unnecessary complexity. This style underscores the paper's principles of balance and understandability, ensuring coverage remains factual and sourced properly while occasionally incorporating positive tones on social issues like immigration to foster constructive dialogue.[9][1][10] The AD's target audience primarily consists of middle-class readers in urban and suburban areas, particularly in regions like South Holland (including Rotterdam), Utrecht, and The Hague, where its regional editions hold strong appeal. It resonates with families and working professionals aged 45-54 who value practical, localized news alongside national and sports coverage, drawing a digitally inclined readership that skews 65% male. This demographic seeks efficient, relatable content that fits busy lifestyles, reflecting the newspaper's aim to serve a wide, mainstream public with high factual reliability.[10][11][9]History
Early years and establishment
The Algemeen Dagblad was launched on April 29, 1946, in Rotterdam as a neutral daily newspaper during the post-World War II reconstruction era in the Netherlands, a period marked by economic recovery and the re-establishment of independent media after Nazi occupation.[3][12] It was founded by publisher Willem Pluygers and co-founder J. Versnel, prominent Rotterdam business leaders who provided initial funding and aimed to create a non-partisan publication to serve the growing urban population.[2][3] The paper started as a sister title to the established Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant, with a small initial staff led by Pluygers as publisher, focusing on local and national news to fill the gap left by wartime press restrictions.[3] In the 1950s, the Algemeen Dagblad saw rapid growth amid the Netherlands' post-war economic boom, which boosted consumer spending and advertising revenue for media outlets. Circulation expanded significantly as the paper achieved national distribution during this decade, reaching readers beyond Rotterdam through improved printing and distribution networks. This period of prosperity allowed the newspaper to invest in broader coverage, solidifying its position as a major daily.[3][13] The 1960s brought technological advancements that enhanced the paper's production and helped it navigate the era's social upheavals—such as youth protests and cultural shifts—with balanced, objective reporting that maintained its neutral stance. However, the newspaper faced stiff competition from long-established titles like De Telegraaf, which had resumed publication in 1949 and commanded larger market share.[2] By the 1970s, labor challenges emerged, including strikes by printing and distribution workers that disrupted operations and highlighted tensions in the declining pillarized media landscape. These early developments laid the foundation for the Algemeen Dagblad's evolution into a national powerhouse.[14]Mergers and regional expansion
In the 1980s, the Algemeen Dagblad undertook efforts to bolster its presence in the Rotterdam area through the integration of smaller local publications.[15] The most transformative development came in 2005, when the Algemeen Dagblad merged with six regional newspapers owned by Wegener on September 1, creating a unified entity under the AD banner.[16][17] This consolidation involved titles such as the Rotterdams Dagblad, Utrechts Nieuwsblad, Amersfoortse Courant, Haagsche Courant, De Dordtenaar, and Rijn en Gouwe, establishing a hybrid model that combined national coverage with localized regional editions.[18][19] Co-owned initially by PCM and Wegener, the merger introduced zoned editions to deliver tailored content, enhancing reader relevance while streamlining production.[20] The expansion was driven by the need to combat declining print circulation across the Dutch newspaper sector, with localization serving as a key strategy to retain subscribers amid rising competition from free dailies and digital media.[21] The tabloid format adopted simultaneously reduced printing costs and improved portability, aligning with broader industry trends toward compact designs for greater efficiency.[22] Post-merger, the AD achieved a print circulation of 349,614 copies in 2014, reflecting an initial boost from the integrated regional reach, though overall readership continued to face downward pressures.[23] These changes significantly scaled operations, positioning the AD as the Netherlands' second-largest daily newspaper by 2010, behind only De Telegraaf.[24] However, the restructuring resulted in substantial staff reductions, with approximately 325 positions eliminated from the combined workforce of over 1,100 to achieve cost savings.[18] This positioned the AD for sustained competitiveness in a consolidating market, emphasizing regional depth to offset national print declines.Integration of Het Vaderland
Het Vaderland was founded in 1869 as an independent liberal newspaper based in The Hague, established by publishers Albert Willem Sijthoff, Dirk Anthonie Thieme, and Artinus Nijhoff.[25] The paper adopted a progressive-liberal stance, with a motto emphasizing service to the country, and it became a prominent voice in Dutch journalism, focusing on state and literary news. Its circulation reached a peak in the 1930s, reflecting its influence in the region during that period. In 1972, facing financial pressures from declining subscriptions and advertising revenue, Het Vaderland was integrated as a regional supplement, or kopblad, to the Algemeen Dagblad (AD), starting on May 2 of that year.[26] This arrangement allowed Het Vaderland to provide localized content for The Hague while relying on AD for national and international news coverage, helping to sustain operations amid broader industry challenges, though it raised concerns about the dilution of its independent voice.[27] Operational changes following the integration included shared printing facilities and staff resources between Het Vaderland and AD, which enabled AD to penetrate the Hague market more effectively without incurring the full costs of a standalone acquisition.[26] This collaboration reduced overheads and streamlined production, positioning Het Vaderland as an extension of AD's regional offerings rather than a fully independent entity. By 1982, escalating financial losses—estimated at 9 million guilders that year, driven by further drops in advertising—coupled with overlapping readership and operational redundancies, led to the full absorption of Het Vaderland into AD.[27] Its content was migrated to AD's dedicated regional sections for The Hague, marking the end of Het Vaderland as a distinct publication; the final edition appeared on August 14, 1982, with subscribers transferred to AD's local edition.[28]Leadership and ownership
Chief editors
The chief editors of the Algemeen Dagblad have been instrumental in shaping the newspaper's editorial direction, from its post-war establishment to its modern digital adaptation. Appointed by the publisher—historically figures like founder Willem Pluygers and later corporate entities such as DPG Media—these leaders typically serve tenures averaging 5-7 years, fostering stability while allowing for strategic shifts in response to evolving media landscapes. A comprehensive list of chief editors includes:| Name | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Jan Schraver | 1946–1947 |
| G.N. Leenders | 1947–1949 |
| G.A.W. Zalsman | 1949–1950 |
| Jacques Ratté | 1950–1958 |
| Anton van der Vet | 1958–1968 |
| Huibert Nicolaas Appel | 1968–1974 |
| Ron Abram & Karel Giel | 1975–1980 |
| Ron Abram | 1980–1993 |
| Peter van Dijk | 1993–2000 |
| Oscar Garschagen | 2000–2003 |
| Willem Ammerlaan (interim) | 2003–2004 |
| Jan Bonjer | 2004–2009 |
| Peter de Jonge | 2009–2010 |
| Christiaan Ruesink | 2010–2016 |
| Hans Nijenhuis | 2016–2021 |
| Rennie Rijpma | 2021–present (as of November 2025) |
Ownership history
The Algemeen Dagblad was established in 1946 by a consortium of independent Rotterdam-based publishing firms, operating under Dutch ownership as part of the Nederlandse Dagblad Unie (NDU) following its 1970 merger with NRC Handelsblad.[44] This structure maintained national control through the 1960s and 1970s, with the NDU functioning as a Dutch consortium focused on regional and national newspaper publishing.[44] In 1995, PCM Uitgevers—a Dutch media group formed that year from the merger of Perscombinatie and Meulenhoff—acquired the NDU from Reed Elsevier, bringing the Algemeen Dagblad under PCM's umbrella alongside other national titles.[44] PCM remained Dutch-owned throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, preserving operational autonomy during a period of industry consolidation.[44] However, in 2004, British private equity firm Apax Partners gained a majority stake in PCM amid financial pressures on the print sector.[45] The 2008 global financial crisis prompted further shifts, with Apax selling its controlling interest in PCM to Belgian media company De Persgroep in July 2009 for €100 million, marking the newspaper's transition to foreign ownership.[46] This acquisition integrated the Algemeen Dagblad into De Persgroep's portfolio, introducing cross-border efficiency measures such as shared digital infrastructure and cost optimizations that emphasized profitability without reported alterations to core editorial independence.[3] In 2019, De Persgroep rebranded to DPG Media after merging with Belgian broadcaster Medialaan, unifying its Dutch and Flemish operations under a single multimedia entity.[47] In a significant recent development, DPG Media completed its €1.1 billion acquisition of RTL Nederland on July 1, 2025, following conditional approval by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) in June 2025.[48][49] The deal, which enhances synergies across print, digital, and broadcasting, includes strict ACM remedies—such as firewall protections for editorial content and divestitures—to mitigate risks to media pluralism and prevent undue concentration in the Dutch market.[48][50]Content and editions
Regional editions and supplements
The Algemeen Dagblad (AD) offers a network of regional editions designed to deliver localized news, events, and advertisements relevant to readers in specific areas of the Netherlands, particularly in South Holland, Utrecht, and adjacent provinces. These editions stem from seven primary regional titles, which are further divided into 18 distinct local variants, enabling tailored content such as coverage of municipal politics, community events, and regional sports. This structure was bolstered by historical mergers that facilitated expanded regional coverage. Zoned printing technology allows for same-day customization across these variants, ensuring timely integration of local stories while maintaining a consistent national framework. The regional titles and their subdivisions include:| Regional Title | Sub-Editions (Number) | Coverage Areas |
|---|---|---|
| AD Rotterdams Dagblad | 5 (Rotterdam Stad, Rotterdam Oost, Waterweg, Voorne-Putten, Hoekse Waard) | Rotterdam metropolitan area and surroundings |
| AD Haagsche Courant | 4 (Den Haag Stad, Delft, Westland, Zoetermeer) | The Hague region and nearby municipalities |
| AD Utrechts Nieuwsblad | 3 (Utrecht Stad, Utrecht Oost, Utrecht Zuid) | Utrecht city and suburbs |
| AD Groene Hart | 3 (Alphen aan den Rijn, Woerden, Gouda) | Green Heart region between major cities |
| AD Amersfoortse Courant | 1 | Amersfoort area |
| AD De Dordtenaar | 1 | Dordrecht and vicinity |
| AD Rivierenland | 1 | Rivierenland area |