Medialaan

Medialaan is a Belgian company, best known as parent company of the first Flemish commercial television station: VTM.

History

Medialaan was founded in 1987 as Vlaamse Televisie Maatschappij by nine Flemish newspaper and magazine publishers, each with an 11.1% share, Perexma, Roularta, TVV, IUM, Almaspar, De Vlijt, Hoste, Concentra, and Drukkerij Het Volk. Several TV and radio sister stations, generally targeting a more specific segment of the Flemish audience (such as youth), have been added. Since 1998, De Persgroep and the Roularta Media Group each have a 50% share of the company. On 31 May 1999 the name was changed to Vlaamse Media Maatschappij (VMMa) (English: Flemish Media Company), and in February 2014 the name was again changed to Medialaan (meaning 'media avenue'), reflecting the street in Vilvoorde on which it is located.^[1]

In 2018 De Persgroep acquired Roularta's 50 percent stake in Medialaan. Roularta received a 50 percent stake in Mediafin and 217.5 million euros in cash.^[2] This turned De Persgroep into the sole owner of Medialaan. The company intends to merge Medialaan with its newspaper and magazine publishing holdings.^[3]

It's the main competitor of the Flemish public broadcaster VRT; their rivalry even has a nickname 'Mediaoorlog', and it supposed suspension Pax media. Woestijnvis, which incorporated the former Flemish SBS-stations, is a more distant third, other stations are minor.

Television channels

Current channels

VTM - The oldest and most popular TV station of the Medialaan. Used for mainstream series and programs.
Q2 (formerly known as 2BE, Kanaaltwee, Kanaal 2 and Ka 2) - The station is used mainly for trying out own work and imported series and movies.
Vitaya - Lifestyle TV station.
CAZ (formerly known as acht) - TV station targeting men with mainly movies, stand-up comedy and American series.
VTMKZOOM - TV station for the kids.
Kadet - TV station for boys.

Former channels

JIM (2001-2015) - Youngster and music TV station
VTMzomer (2006) - Summer themed channel
VTMkerst (2006-2007) - Christmas themed channel
Vitaliteit (2007-2012) - Health & healthy food themed channel
anne - (2009-2016) - Flemish music only channel
Lacht (2013-2016) - Comedy channel

Radio (Qgroup)

Qgroup is the holding for the radiostations of Medialaan. The group is active in Belgium & The Netherlands.

Currently owned radio stations

Qmusic (Belgium & The Netherlands)
JOE (Belgium)

Former radio stations

Radio Mango (until 2003)
Topradio (owned by Medialaan until 2003)

Mobile operators

Medialaan owns 3 MVNO's

On Demand

Medialaan has 2 on demand services:

iWatch (digital tv)
Stevie (web and mobile devices)

References

^ Farewell VMMa at HLN.be. Retrieved 06/02/2014.
^ "Roularta stapt uit Medialaan en in Mediafin". Knack.be. Roularta. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
^ "Medialaan en De Persgroep Publishing worden één bedrijf". Medialaan.be. Medialaan. Retrieved 7 September 2018.

External links

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[1a-1] Farewell VMMa at HLN.be. Retrieved 06/02/2014.

[2] "Roularta stapt uit Medialaan en in Mediafin". Knack.be. Roularta. Retrieved 7 September 2018.

[3] "Medialaan en De Persgroep Publishing worden één bedrijf". Medialaan.be. Medialaan. Retrieved 7 September 2018.

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