2007-2012
RTL 8 is a Dutch free-to-cable television channel that was launched on 18 August 2007 replacing Tien, previously known as Talpa. RTL 8's main target audience consists of women.[1] It broadcasts soap operas, talk shows, films and reruns of programmes from its sister RTL channels. In the mornings and late afternoons children's channel RTL Telekids is broadcasting on RTL 8. Officially RTL 8, along with all other Dutch RTL channels, is broadcasting under a Luxembourg television license. Therefore, the channel is also headquartered in Luxembourg. By doing this RTL can avoid more severe control by the Dutch media authorities, as Luxembourg does not have a strict authority that regulates its broadcasters.[2] Dutch citizens need a subscription to a cable, satellite, IPTV, or DVB-T provider to view the channel. All providers include the channel in their base package.
RTL 8
Country
Broadcast area
Netherlands
Luxembourg
Headquarters
Hilversum, Netherlands
Programming
Picture format
1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
Owner
Parent
Sister channels
RTL 4
RTL 5
RTL 7
RTL Z
RTL Lounge
RTL Crime
RTL Telekids
History
Launched
18 August 2007; 16 years ago (2007-08-18)
Replaced
Talpa (2005-2006)
Tien (2006-2007)
Links
Website
Availability
Terrestrial
Channel 10 (HD)
DTT (Luxembourg)
191.5 MHz (SD)
ZiggoGO.tv (Europe only)
KPN iTV Online
Watch live (Europe only)
The channel started as Talpa, later rebranded as Tien, which was launched by media tycoon John de Mol in August 2005. In 2007 John de Mol's Talpa Media assets were amalgamated with RTL Nederland. In exchange, John de Mol obtained a 26.3% share in RTL Nederland.[3]
RTL Nederland revealed that Tien would be rebranded as RTL 8. Fons van Westerloo, director of RTL Nederland explained that the name of the new RTL channel was chosen as not to conflict with the second largest Dutch commercial television channel, SBS6.[4] RTL 7 got a makeover as well. RTL 8 got The Oprah Winfrey Show, As the World Turns, and the popular Dutch program Gooische Vrouwen. Furthermore, RTL 8 is going to repeat the popular programmes of the other RTL-channels, previously done by RTL 7.[5]
On 18 August 2007 Tien ceased to exist and was taken over by RTL 8.[6]
On 15 October 2009 RTL Nederland started simulcasting their RTL 7 and RTL 8 channels in 1080i high-definition.[7]
RTL 8 offered a teletext service which stopped on 1 April 2017. The pages 888/889 are still available for subtitles.[8]
Women's channel RTL 8 attracted an average prime-time audience share of 3.7 per cent among female viewers aged 35 to 59 (2019: 4.2 per cent).