VPRO



The VPRO (originally an acronym for Vrijzinnig Protestantse Radio Omroep, or "Liberal Protestant Radio Broadcasting Corporation") was established in the Netherlands in 1926 as a religious broadcasting organization. Falling under the Protestant pillar, it represented the Liberal Protestant current. However, in the 1950s and 1960s it became more (social) liberal than Protestant, and while the acronym VPRO was kept, its meaning was dropped. It was the first to show a nude woman on Dutch television, Phil Bloom in 1967, in the Wim T. Schippers show Hoepla. The VPRO is known for producing and broadcasting quality (and sometimes avant-garde) programmes, documentaries and films, the target audience of the VPRO is highly educated and creative people (e.g. artists, designers, scientists).



VPRO often collaborates with other broadcasting organisations such as WDR, the BBC, and Arte.

Like all Dutch public broadcasters, the VPRO does not have its own dedicated channel.

Some shows of the VPRO

 * Noorderlicht
 * ''Radio Bergeijk
 * Backlight (Tegenlicht)
 * Metropolis TV - the program sees correspondents from around the world reporting on life and culture in different cultures. In 2010 the program was honoured with a Tegel Award (De Tegel). Episodes available on YouTube.
 * Van Kooten en de Bie
 * Missie Aarde
 * Draadstaal
 * Holland Sport

Radio

 * White Noise, Dave Clarke's weekly Techno show on 3FM (2006-2012)

Documentary

 * Big Fun In The Big Town, a 1986 documentary about Hip Hop Music, presented by Marcel Vanthilt, which has become a cult classic. It is credited with popularizing hiphop in the Netherlands and was made available on DVD in 2012.

Radio sessions

 * Alternative rock band Nirvana played a VPRO session in 1991 that was released on various bootlegs.