vtm

vtm or Vlaamse Televisie Maatschappij is the main commercial television station in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking north of Belgium and forms part of a network of channels owned by Vlaamse Media Maatschappij. It went live on February 1, 1989 and quickly became the most popular TV channel in the Flemish part of Belgium. Early programming consisted of local versions of game shows like 'Rad Van Fortuin' or 'Waagstuk'. The channel is also considered to have been instrumental in the rebirth of the local music industry as it was the first TV channel to promote local music through its primetime TV show 'Tien om te zien', a weekly chart show with only local music productions. The channels focus on local music and local versions of international TV formats quickly allowed it to outperform public television in 1989 and the early 90s. Average marketshare went up to over 40% in 1993. Currently vtm is still the Flemish commercial market leader and the 2nd biggest channel in Flanders. It can be received on cable, digital cable, iptv in Flanders and Belgium and by satellite in Europe. Parent company VMMa, also operates sister channels, including vtmKzoom, as well as 2BE and JIM, and Vitaya. Many programs originally aired on vtm may later rerun on these other channels. The broadcaster also owns three radio stations: Q-music, JOEfm and formerly, the now defunct, Radio BemBem. In 2005 there were talks about VMMa buying the Flemish part of Canal Plus from Telenet but this fell through. In 2006 rumours were spread that the RTL Group would buy 50% of VMMa, but vtm as well as RTL denied those plans.