Media The Hague region

Media

Television

In the Netherlands, there are commercial networks and a system of public broadcasters sharing the channels NPO 1, NPO 2, and NPO 3. Among the commercial broadcasters, there is a big variety of channels, both Dutch and foreign. Many service providers offer a range of European channels in their standard package and also have additional options. You can check all available channels on the website of your service provider.

Most of the imported television shows (except for children’s shows) are broadcasted in their original language and subtitled in Dutch. Some channels offer most television shows in English, while other channels have mixed or more Dutch oriented programming.

There are also regional television channels in the Netherlands. Omroep West covers the northern part of South-Holland: The Hague region, Zoetermeer, Westland, Delft, Leiden, Alphen aan den Rijn and Gouda. Stadsomroep Den Haag is a broadcasting service that operates in The Hague region in cooperation with Omroep West. Omroep West features specific content about the international community in The Hague with Diplomat TV.

Radio

Like the television system, radio in the Netherland is offered by both public as commercial stations. There are local (such as Den Haag FM) and national radio channels. Most channels focus on a specific genre and the music selection tends to be predominately international. Some radio stations can be listened to for free online. Here is a list of popular national radio channels.

Public stations

  • NPO Radio 1: (Includes news, politics, current affairs and sport)
  • NPO Radio 2: (For the age group 35-55. Includes genre: popular music, mostly from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and Dutch music)
  • NPO 3FM: (Includes genre: pop and rock music)
  • NPO Radio 4: (Includes genre: classical music)

Commercial stations

  • Sky Radio: (Full-time pop music on 101.0 - 101.9 FM)
  • Radio Veronica: (Pop and Rock from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s on 103 FM)
  • Q-music: (Feel good pop music on 100.4 and 100.7 FM)
  • BNR Nieuwsradio: (News)
  • SLAM!: (Pop/Dance/EDM)
  • Radio 538: (Current hits, rock and dance music station on 102.1 - 102.7 FM)
  • Radio 10: (Music from the 1960s to the 1990s)
  • Sublime FM: (Soul, funk, jazz and lounge on 90 FM)
  • 100% NL: (Mostly music by Dutch bands and artists)

Newspapers

National newspapers

There are 10 national daily newspapers in the Netherlands. You can buy the paper at the supermarket and bookstores, or read it online via their website or mobile apps. You can find a short description of the 7 newspapers with the largest circulation below, listed from largest to smallest:

  • De Telegraaf: targets a broad audience, with news reports, financial news, campaigns in political issues, sports-related articles and popular articles.
  • Het Algemeen Dagblad: profiles itself as without political or religious association. There is also a regional edition, the Haagsche Courant, that covers The Hague region.
  • Metro: a free newspaper offered in public transport, post offices, municipal buildings, libraries, Q-park garages, universities and schools. A subsidiary of De Telegraaf.
  • De Volkskrant: founded in 1919 and originally a Catholic newspaper. After becoming a left-wing newspaper in the 1960s, it began softening its stance in 1980. Focus on politics, international development, economy, opinion, culture and art.
  • NRC Handelsblad: focusses on foreign issues, politics, economy, opinion pieces, and art.
  • Trouw: started out as a Protestant underground newspaper. Nowadays pays specific attention to all the world religions.
  • Het Financieele Dagblad: focuses on business and financial matters.

Local newspapers

There are also local newspapers that focus on news from your neighbourhood.

The Hague

  • Haagsche Courant: the regional edition of Het Algemeen Dagblad, which covers The Hague region
  • De Posthoorn: a free, weekly newspaper distributed in The Hague, which focuses on news in The Hague
  • Stadskrant: a newspaper by the municipality of The Hague, delivered together with de Posthoorn. Only covers news from the city of The Hague.
  • Den Haag Centraal: a weekly newspaper which covers The Hague region.

Delft

  • Haagsche Courant: the regional edition of Het Algemeen Dagblad, which covers The Hague region.
  • Delftse Post: a free, weekly newspaper distributed in Delft, which focuses on news in Delft.

Rijswijk

  • Haagsche Courant: the regional edition of Het Algemeen Dagblad, which covers The Hague region.
  • Groot Rijswijk: a free, weekly newspaper distributed in Rijswijk, which focuses on news in Rijswijk.

Leidschendam-Voorburg

  • Haagsche Courant: the regional edition of Het Algemeen Dagblad, which covers The Hague region.
  • Voorburgs Dagblad: an online newspaper which covers Leidschendam-Voorburg
  • Het Krantje: a free, weekly newspaper distributed in Leidschendam-Voorburg, which focuses on news in Leidschendam-Voorburg.

Foreign newspapers

If you are looking for foreign newspapers, there are various newsagent’s shops that offer a foreign selection. An alternative is the PressReader app, which has a big selection of international content.

Media for internationals

Whether you are new to The Hague, or simply prefer to stay in touch with other expats: there are many media outlets that focus on the international communities in the Netherlands and The Hague. Read more in our section on media for internationals.

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