Regional broadcasters scale back live radio coverage of Dutch football
RTV Rijnmond, RTV Noord and L1 are moving resources away from regular live match commentary and towards digital coverage.
Live radio coverage of Dutch professional football is being reduced by several regional broadcasters ahead of the new season. RTV Rijnmond, RTV Noord and Limburg-based L1 have each announced changes that place greater emphasis on websites, apps and social media.
RTV Rijnmond will no longer provide live radio commentary on matches involving Excelsior and Sparta Rotterdam. The broadcaster plans to continue following both clubs online while giving more attention to other stories around them. Feyenoord games will remain on the radio because they attract significantly larger audiences.
RTV Noord has also ended its regular live radio commentary for FC Groningen fixtures. Interim editor-in-chief Marcel Gelauff said the organisation must make choices as a small regional broadcaster while creating more room for digital media. Coverage of developments around Groningen will continue despite the change in format.
L1 is going further by stopping live radio commentary for all Limburg clubs competing in the Eredivisie and Keuken Kampioen Divisie. Important fixtures, including derbies and games carrying major sporting consequences, may instead receive live-blog coverage through L1’s website and app. The broadcaster will also publish short reports after matches, with extra attention for games considered relevant to a wider audience. Together, the decisions mark a notable shift away from traditional regional radio commentary and towards digital football reporting.
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