| L1 | |
| Country: | Netherlands |
| Founded: | (Omroep Limburg) (L1) |
| Headquarters: | Ambyerstraat Zuid 77b, Maastricht |
| Broadcast Area: | Limburg |
| Former Names: | Omroep Limburg |
| Webcast: | |
| Replaced: | Regionale Omroep Zuid |
L1, also known by its original name , is a regional public broadcaster in the Netherlands, specifically serving the province of Limburg. Founded in 1988 to replace the (ROZ), the station rebranded to L1 in 1999 following a merger with the commercial broadcaster .
On 24 December 1945, the (ROZ) – the first regional radio station in the Netherlands – began its broadcasts in Limburg.[1] [2] The station operated under the umbrella of the Dutch Radio Union (NFU) and, from 1969, the (NOS).[1] In 1988, the regional broadcasting services were detached from the NOS, following the implementation of the Media Act.[3] The ROZ was then dissolved and replaced by the newly founded as Limburg's regional public broadcaster.[1] [3]
In 1997, the commercial regional television station was established.[1] Later that year, also began broadcasting on television.[1] Due to cable network limitations, the channels shared the same frequency: aired from 7:15 to 19:15, while TV8 Limburg took over during the evening and early morning hours.[1] [4] Because of the legal and practical challenges posed by the shared television frequency, the two broadcasters merged in June 1999 to form L1.[1] [2]