[BLOG] Two columns ago, I was expressing my wishes for the NPO Radio 2 programming, including the often unintelligible Ruud de Wild, who has been going on for at least five years too long, being replaced by Rob Stenders in the afternoon time slot, but Ruud’s contract was immediately canceled again. extended for two years by Powned and his friend/radio boss Florent Luyckx. Well, we can write that club off again and put it in the box ‘no longer innovative, just playing it safe’. Fortunately, they do something good by turning a blind eye to the far too dominant broadcaster at the NPO, BNNVARA, with the return of Morad El Ouakili to his evening slot, daily at 8 p.m., which he suddenly had to get rid of from Barts News Network Association of Labor Radio Amateurs because he was going to do some things for RTL Boulevard. At least, that’s what’s being whispered. But I hear there are still some changes coming…
The registration rounds are closed, a lot of meetings have been held again at the expense of Father State and we are going to be very happy from January as a listener to the market leader.. Hold on tight, these are the names that will leave or join the station .
Tim op het Broek
Mister Kink seems to be landing at 2 after all to do the late evening hours for AvroTros, from 10 p.m. to midnight, where a certain Desiree can now pretend to be a deejay for Powned. We will hear them somewhere else in the colorful collection of programs and ditto program names because hey, POWNED must also have a woman on board. When Tim starts on 2 without receiving an additional assessment from KINK, he can tell himself.
Evelien de Bruijn
Speaking of women who pretend to be radio deejays: the curtain now seems to have finally fallen for the wife of ex-3FM station coordinator Paul van der Lugt, who also turned things upside down at Radio M on a Blue Monday. At least, for her on the radio during the day. I’ll come back to what she will do next.
Daniel Lippens
Yes, but what should Daniël Lippens do if Morad returns to his old time slot 8-10 p.m. at the country’s largest subsidy guzzler? Yes, apparently he can do his thing during the day, on Friday afternoon anyway, but if they have the balls at 2, also on Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Then you have a tight jock for that afternoon block all week long instead of that lame chatter and text reading stuff and BNNVARA gets some extra airtime during the day that they lose to POWNED in the evening.
Evert Duipmans
679 followers on Instagram. That is apparently not enough for NPO Radio 2 and broadcaster KRONCRV. The best man, whom I have never heard on the radio until today because I like to sleep in at the weekend, seems to be leaving. Now Evelien de Bruijn can pretend to be a disc jockey. She isn’t. She was a producer for the late Wim Rigter, wiseguy for Gerard Ekdom and Hart van Nederland presenter. Then just keep doing that, don’t think: I can also talk those pictures together and read out the apps. Yes, duh, anyone can chat, even if it is broadcast. Making radio is something completely different.
Martine ten Klooster
It could also be done away with, but then who should you put in front of the EO, Henk Binnendijk?! He is still alive by the way and is now 90.
Morad El Ouakili
Yes, I already said that in the intro, he can start grumbling into the microphone again with his dark brown voice from 8 p.m., during the week, for POWNED, which I grunt to you.
Yes, I also find myself cynical in this column. Like I don’t want it all for them or something. But it isn’t. I’m just tired and tired that in 2025 we will still be arguing with those broadcasters, all this scheming about airtime and hassle. If NPO Radio 2 were to focus solely on quality, the programming would look very different. And the content too. They just keep playing pop radio with mediocre talents or faded glory, due to a lack of substance. It remains a colorful collection of styles, presenters, disc jockeys, not quite disc jockeys, sidekicks, stars, you name it. It is that the station is a hit and can be received twice everywhere in the Netherlands, unlike the competition. They’re doing a nice job, on our dime, but of course it’s not fancy. Laziness, incompetence and scoring drive of the NPO radio top, that’s what it is.
This is not public radio, at most a nationally received local broadcaster where commercial and broadcasting interests mainly determine the programming, not really the public task. Quickly launch BLEND on DAB+ to pretend that this is your public task, while this is also a collection of hits and dull, meaningless chatter. I give you the same as Radio 10, 100%NL, KINK and Veronica, with your own state as your biggest competitor. So you have to pay a lot to be allowed to broadcast at all and then the party to which you had to transfer that fortune also has to compete with you with approximately the same music, games, requests, charts and everything else that just comes with a commercial channel. belongs. It would make you despondent and that’s what I am after writing this column. The Dutch radio landscape is sick and that is primarily due to a much too commercial public broadcaster, which fortunately does not consider launching an oldies station on FM (read: NPO Radio 5) otherwise it would be a complete shame and still more unfair competition. It’s a good thing: they don’t know the word innovation at the NPO, so they’re going to give up all that old-fashioned stuff one day.
Welcome to the Radio Circus!
Hello, dear listeners! Gather around, because today we’re diving into a bubbling cauldron of radio revelations that leaves one wondering if we’re tuning into a radio station or a soap opera where the plot doesn’t quite make sense! Let’s break it down, shall we?
Ruud de Wild and His Extended Vacation in the Afternoon Slot
Ah, Ruud de Wild—five years too long, they say! It’s like that one friend who just won’t go home after a party… but instead gets two more years in a prime time slot! You have to admire the audacity. It’s as if the radio bosses woke up one day and decided that innovation is actually just sticking with what you know—like your grandma still sending you handwritten letters instead of a text. Thanks, but no thanks! Can we get a little creativity, please?
Morad El Ouakili: Back by Popular Demand!
Now here comes Morad El Ouakili, back on the night shift like he’s the reassuring smell of popcorn at a cinema. It’s like Radio 2 is swapping lifeguards at a beach where they forgot their sunscreen. But let’s be honest: when Morad talks, you actually listen. His “dark brown voice” (cozy, isn’t it?) should be accompanied by a cup of hot cocoa. If they could bottle that voice, I would probably buy a few cases!
Evelien de Bruijn: Pretend DJ Extravaganza!
Then we have Evelien de Bruijn, taking a leap into the DJ world. You know, it’s like watching someone try on rollerblades for the first time—exciting, awkward, and you might cringe a little. But does she have what it takes? Or will she just ride the coattails of her husband’s former glory? Bring on the popcorn, because it’s going to be a show!
Daniel Lippens: The Daytime Radio Savior?
And let’s not forget about Daniel Lippens. If Morad gets his evening slot back, does this mean Daniel gets relegated to the dreaded daytime hours? What’s next, after lunches have been served? Perhaps an afternoon nap hour! But honestly, who needs dull chatter when we could have Daniel delivering golden hits during prime time? Spice it up, folks!
The Hilarity of Evert Duipmans and “DJ” Nonsense
Meanwhile, Evert Duipmans, only 679 Instagram followers? He must have missed the ‘social media for dummies’ memo. Who knew radio required a minimum follower count to stay employed? And let’s face it, being a good presenter requires a lot more than reading apps off a phone. We’re here for radio, not a boring book club!
A Lament for Innovation
Overall, it feels like we’re at a circus where the clowns are running the show—just switching hats and changing chairs without actually bringing in anything fresh. By 2025, will we still be tuning in and rolling our eyes at the same recycled banter? It’s disappointing to see such potential being stifled, relying on safe choices while the radio audience yearns for something fresh and engaging.
In Conclusion: The State of Dutch Radio
In a world where a radio station should serve us the eclectic mix of sound and creativity, we’re instead getting a rehashing of mediocre talents. It’s time for the NPO Radio 2 to wake up and realize they’re just another player in the commercial game! Audience, unite! Demand a little passion in our playlists!
So, my friends, let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for real change instead of the same game with different players. Until next time, keep your antennae up and your expectations higher!
© 2023 – A Cheeky Commentary by Patrick Kicken
[BLOG] In a previous column, I shared my hopes for the NPO Radio 2 lineup, specifically calling for a change in the afternoon programming. My suggestion was to replace Ruud de Wild, whose increasingly indecipherable segments have overstayed their welcome for at least five years, with Rob Stenders. However, Powned, under the influence of his close associate, radio executive Florent Luyckx, has extended Ruud’s contract for an additional two years. As a result, it’s time to conclude that this organization prioritizes familiarity over creativity, leaving us to categorize it as ‘no longer innovative, just playing it safe.’ On a lighter note, there is a silver lining with the return of Morad El Ouakili, who is slated to reclaim his evening slot at 8 p.m. This is a welcome shift from the overly dominant BNNVARA. He had previously lost that slot, allegedly due to commitments with RTL Boulevard — a rumor that still circulates. It seems whisperings of further adjustments are also on the horizon…
The registration rounds are closed, and a flurry of meetings, funded by the public purse, have recently transpired. Come January, listeners can anticipate an exciting array of changes as the programming evolves at the market-leading station. Brace yourselves, as several notable names will be departing or joining the lineup.
Tim op het Broek
In a surprising turn, Mister Kink appears to be transitioning to NPO Radio 2, poised to take over the late-night shift from 10 p.m. to midnight for AvroTros. Meanwhile, a new face, Desiree, seems set to fill in as a deejay for Powned. Expect to see more of these colorful personalities plastered across the eclectic mix of programs, as POWNED is quick to hire to ensure gender diversity. Should Tim successfully make this leap without further interference from KINK, it certainly speaks volumes about his budding radio career.
Evelien de Bruijn
Speaking of women stepping into the limelight, it appears that Evelien de Bruijn, the spouse of former 3FM station coordinator Paul van der Lugt, may finally be taking a bow. She stirred things up at Radio M during a particularly memorable Blue Monday, yet her future radio endeavors are now uncertain. I will delve into her potential next moves in upcoming updates.
Daniel Lippens
The spotlight now shifts to Daniël Lippens. With Morad reclaiming his coveted evening time slot from 8 to 10 p.m. at the country’s largest state-subsidized broadcaster, one must wonder what lies ahead for him. The speculation suggests that Daniël could be slotted into the daytime schedule, particularly Friday afternoons, with aspirations for Saturday and Sunday slots as well from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. If NPO Radio 2 aims for coherence, this tight jock scheduling could be the remedy for lackluster banter and reading text off the air.
Evert Duipmans
With only 679 followers on Instagram, Evert Duipmans’s social media presence seems insufficient for NPO Radio 2 and broadcaster KRONCRV. In fact, despite my unfamiliarity with his voice due to my weekend late wake-ups, he is expected to depart, leaving the floor wide open for Evelien de Bruijn to don the deejay mantle — though her experience lies elsewhere. Previously a producer for the late Wim Rigter and known for her sharp wit alongside Gerard Ekdom as well as presenting Hart van Nederland, her transition from production to front-of-house has been questioned. The reality is that many can gab into a microphone, but crafting compelling radio is an art form.
Morad El Ouakili
As previously mentioned, Morad El Ouakili will be gracing the airwaves once more, expected to unleash his resonant voice into the mic at 8 p.m. during the week for POWNED, much to the excitement of devoted fans.
It’s evident that my perspective is rather cynical in this column, not out of a desire for their failure, but from sheer exhaustion. I can’t help but dread that in 2025, we’ll still find ourselves in endless debates with these broadcasters, embroiled in issues regarding airtime and petty squabbles. If NPO Radio 2 would redirect its focus to prioritize quality, the entire landscape of their programming would change dramatically. Instead, they persist in dishing out pop radio filled with mediocre talents and fading stars, devoid of substance and depth. The lineup remains a vibrant yet chaotic mix of presenters, deejays, and sidekicks, but it largely lacks cohesion. Despite NPO Radio 2’s extensive reach across the Netherlands and its non-commercial status, their approach seems uninspired at best. This complacency, paired with incompetence at the highest levels, continues to plague the ambitions of public radio.
This is not reflective of public service broadcasting — it resembles more of a sizeable local station dominated by commercial interests rather than public duty. The hasty launch of BLEND on DAB+ serves merely as a façade, masquerading as a public mandate while offering a mishmash of hits and hollow chatter. I’m left feeling disillusioned, especially when noting that NPO is competing against its commercial counterparts with nearly identical programming. The future of the Dutch radio landscape appears bleak, largely due to an excessively commercial public broadcaster that, thankfully, has yet to consider launching an oldies station on FM (a.k.a. NPO Radio 5). A day may come when they cease these outdated efforts entirely due to their aversion to innovation.
Is landscape of Dutch radio. The NPO seems to be fumbling around in a sea of missed opportunities, opting for familiar faces instead of exploring fresh talent that could invigorate the airwaves. It’s reminiscent of a child stubbornly clinging to their favorite worn-out toy instead of embracing the new and exciting gifts around them.
For Ruud de Wild to be extended for two more years in his time slot is bewildering. It suggests an aversion to risk and an uncomfortable reliance on the past. Why stick with a present that no longer excites when the potential for something vibrant and engaging exists? This move embodies safety over innovation, much like a chef who refuses to experiment with new spices and sticks to the tried-and-true salt and pepper.
And then there’s the return of Morad El Ouakili, whose soothing voice feels like a warm embrace after a long winter’s day. His presence is a small victory, but one that highlights the larger issue at play: why must we settle for occasional glimmers of brilliance when the whole program could shine?
Evelien de Bruijn and her leap into DJing is another curious case. While it’s commendable for women to take the stage, the question looms: does she have the charisma and content to hold an audience’s attention, or is this merely a casting call dressed up as a talent search? It seems a gamble at best.
Daniel Lippens deserves mention, too. Will he endure yet another transition, filling in spots in an array of underwhelming schedules? It almost feels like the Tetris game of radio programming, where pieces are shifted around without any real strategy for improvement.
the likes of Evert Duipmans, with his paltry follower count and seemingly mediocre presence, merely underline the sentiment that some radio personalities are not being nurtured or given a chance to grow. If radio in the Netherlands is to thrive, it should be a reflection of the society it serves—dynamic, engaging, and forward-moving.
So, as we stand on the cusp of new changes come January, here’s hoping that the fresh roster reflects a desire not just to fill slots, but to truly understand what listeners seek: connection, relevance, and a dash of unpredictability. The challenge is brewing, and the radio circus needs to step up its game—after all, the audience deserves a show worth tuning in for!
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