Commercial radio started (on cable only) in the Netherlands in 1988. By then public radio (5 national networks and 13 regional stations) had a total market share of 96% of the audience. This changed drastically after 1994/1995 when commercial radio also got terrestrial frequencies. Nowadays (national) commercial radio has 50% marketshare, national public radio 30% and regional public radio 14%.

In 1995, the main commercial stations joined forces in the NVCR (Nederlandse Vereniging van Commerciele Radio). This association has the objective of promoting the mutual interests of the members. This implies negotiations with collecting societies, lobbying to government officials and promoting radio as an effective advertising medium.

The 12 members of the NVCR are:

• Arrow Classic Rock
• Arrow 90.7 FM
• RTL FM
• Business Nieuws Radio
• Classic FM
• Radio Veronica
• ID en T Radio
• Yorin FM
• Noordzee 100.7 FM
• Radio 10 gold
• Radio 538
• Sky Radio 101 FM

CHAIRMAN: Mr. Martin S. Banga

SECRETARY-GENERAL: Mr. Erik de Zwart

TREASURER: Mr. Jan-Willem Bruggenwirth

NUMBER OF RADIO STATIONS BELONGING TO THE ASSOCIATION: 12 nation-wide private radio stations

PERCENTAGE OF THE AUDIENCE: 50% of the total radio audience

INCOME FROM ADVERTISING: 260 million Euro

POSTAL ADRESS:

Naarderpoort 2
1411 MA Naarden
THE NETHERLANDS

TEL: +31 35 699 1007

FAX: +31 35 699 1096