RTL 8

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. 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. 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.

History

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.

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, SBS 6. '' 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''.

On 18 August 2007 ''Tien'' ceased to exist and was taken over by ''RTL 8''.

On 15 October 2009 RTL Nederland started simulcasting their '' RTL 7'' and ''RTL 8'' channels in 1080i high-definition.

Programming

Domestic

* Goede tijden, slechte tijden (reruns)

Imported

* Agatha Christie's Poirot
* The Bold and the Beautiful
* Coppers
* CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
* CSI: Miami
* ER
* The Flying Doctors
* Grey's Anatomy
* House
* The Real Housewives
* Silent Witness

Children's (

RTL Telekids Block)

* The Adventures of Chuck and Friends
* Barbie Dreamtopia: The Series
* Chuggington
* Dinotrux
* Ella the Elephant
* Fireman Sam
* Florrie's Dragons
* Hello Kitty and Friends
* Lego City Adventures
* Little People
* Littlest Pet Shop: A World of Our Own
* Miss Moon
* Molang
* Monchhichis
* Musti
* My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
* Oggy and the Cockroaches
* Om Nom
* Piet Piraat (Belgian)
* Polly Pocket
* Robin Hood's Great Adventure
* Robocar Poli
* Strawberry Shortcake
* Super 4
* Super Wings
* Tashi
* Tee and Mo
* Thomas & Friends
* Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy
* Tumble Leaf
* The Wild Adventures of Blinky Bill
* Wissper
* Wizzy & Woppy
* Zafari
* Zigby

Teletext

RTL 8 offered a teletext service which stopped on 1 April 2017. The pages 888/889 are still available for subtitles.

Logos

References

{{Television in the Netherlands

Television channels in the Netherlands
RTL Nederland
Television channels and stations established in 2007
Women's interest channels