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The coalition agreement of the current government aims to improve collaboration between national and regional broadcasters. Regional window programming could contribute to this. With regional window programming, viewers in a specific region receive content tailored to their region on a national linear television channel of the public broadcaster for part of the day. This way, regional broadcasters could increase their reach and inform (new) viewers about regional news.
To implement regional window programming, adjustments are needed at the (national and regional) broadcasters and the television channel distributors. Commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW), Dialogic examined the costs of implementing regional window programming. We validated the budgets provided by the various parties.
The research concludes that the budgets are realistic and well substantiated. It is noted that changes in the (technical) specifications for window programming (such as incorporating replay-TV services, pausing, and spoken subtitles) could significantly increase costs. The intended coverage rate (the number of viewers who see the correct window based on their region) also has a major impact: reaching the last viewers is relatively costly, and achieving a 'perfect' coverage is not technically feasible. Several other factors, such as financing in relation to state aid legislation, also pose a challenge. Finally, we analysed various alternative implementation methods, including options incorporating these features and (solely) establishing a fixed channel position for the relevant regional broadcaster.
Minister Slob has indicated in a parliamentary briefing that, in his view, the costs of implementing regional window programming do not outweigh the benefits. As of 1 January, NPO Regio will be launched, and the collaboration between NOS and the regional broadcasters has recently been intensified. The minister sees these developments as a more fruitful pursuit of the stated goal. Therefore, the implementation of regional windows is being abandoned.
