Nederland 24 was the collective name for a number of specialty television channels from the Dutch public broadcasting system. It also broadcasts a sample channel of the same name featuring a mix of programming from the other thematic channels. A couple of these specialty channel are still available, but are now fully under the wings of the NPO.
Originally it consisted of seventeen channels which were available through cable and online (cf. http://www.nederland24.nl/).
The Nederland 24 channels were an expansion of the Dutch public broadcasting system, in which public broadcasting associations provide general programming. Based on the number of active members, broadcasting associations receive airtime on three national public television stations (NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3). The thematic channels offered these broadcasting associations more airtime to expand its core programming. These channels broadcast round-the-clock, all day, hence the "24" part of the name.
The first step towards Nederland 24 was made by the VPRO broadcasting association with the introduction of 3VOOR12TV in May 2003. The success of this theme channel led to the launch of 3VOOR12 Central, 3VOOR12 On Stage, Journaal 24, and Holland Doc channels in December 2004 and /Geschiedenis in February 2005. Initially Nederland 4 was being used with the start of the internet portal Nederland4.nl on 6 April 2005.
From November 2006 the Dutch public broadcasting system started with the expansion of the number of channels to a total of 17. By 2009 this number dropped to 12 channels. The Nederland-e, DNTV, 3VOOR12 Central, and 3VOOR12 On Stage channels were cancelled and /Geloven and Omega TV merged into Spirit 24. On 1 April 2009, the Nederland 4 branding changed to Nederland 24, with the names of the theme channels including the "24" as a prefix, except for 101 TV.
In January 2009 it was announced that the political channel Politiek 24 would change into a sport/politics channel. Opvoeden doe je zo! will change to Z@ppelin 24, a children's channel.