VTM 2

VTM 2
CountryBelgium
Programming
Picture format625 Lines PAL (analogue), 576i SDTV (digital), 1080i HDTV
Ownership
OwnerDPG Media
Sister channels
  • VTM
  • VTM 3
  • VTM 4
  • VTM Gold
  • VTM Non-Stop
  • VTM Life
  • VTM Sport
History
Launched31 January 1995; 29 years ago (1995-01-31)
Former names
  • Ka2 (1995–1997)
  • Kanaal2 (1997–2003)
  • KANAALTWEE (2003–2008)
  • 2BE (2008–2016)
  • Q2 (2016–2020)
Links
Websitevtm.be
Availability
Streaming media
VTM GoWatch live (Belgium only)

VTM 2 (formerly Q2) is a Belgian television channel owned by the commercial broadcasting company DPG Media.

History

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Ka2

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The channel was launched as Ka2 (Dutch pronounciation of K2) on 31 January 1995, the second Flemish private television channel, one day ahead of the launch of VT4.[1] It was positioned as a highbrow complement to VTM, competing against BRTN TV2.[2] The primary goal of Ka2 was to safeguard VTM's obtained market share.[1] The channel's look was designed by Lambie-Nairn and received a gold medal at the 1995 Promax UK Conference Awards.[3]

This phase was seen with division from VMMa members, as some said that the channel wanted to distance itself from VTM by creating its own image, while others believed that the channel wanted to be a sort of VTM 2.[1] Among the channel's local productions was the controversial talk show about sex Vanavond niet, schat (Not Tonight, Dear). The initial format of the channel faced a number of problems, causing it to be retooled.[1]

In 1997, after the Ka2 format ended its run, BRTN TV2 was retooled as Canvas.

Kanaal 2

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Within less than a year, following the problems VTM faced in its initial format, the channel was renamed Kanaal 2 (Channel 2), in this new guise, the channel attracted a younger demographic than its predecessor and relied heavily on American imports on the cheap.[1]

The logo used in this phase was the word KANAAL (with each letter in blue inside individual yellow squares) and below a larger box with a blue 2.[1]

KANAALTWEE

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In 2000, the channel's name changed to the all-uppercase KANAALTWEE (CHANNELTWO). The rebrand gave way to the first Flemish reality show, a local adaptation of Big Brother, which ended up being successful and gave the channel its highest ratings so far. However, this phase caused the channel to lack a clear identity, causing viewing figures to drop.[1]

2BE

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On 12 February 2008 the channel changed its name to 2BE,[4] retaining the 2 but referring to the Belgian ISO Country Code BE. The move was to attract ratings as they have been falling: in 2007, KANAALTWEE received a "lackluster" 9.1% against 16.9% in 2001.[5] The goal of the rebrand was to give the channel a "face"; according to director Laurens Verbeke, KANAALTWEE looked "more like a DVD player than a TV channel".[1]

Q2

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In September 2016, the channel changed its name to Q2. This was an extension of the Qmusic radio station brand owned by Medialaan.[6]

VTM 2

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On 31 August 2020, Q2 rebranded as VTM 2, as part of a rebranding of the 4 main DPG channels.[7][8]

After thirty years on Één, VTM 2 secured the rights to the Australian soap opera Neighbours in June 2021, when VRT decided not to renew the contract. The first episode to air on the new rights holder was aired on 14 June; Één's last on 8 June.[9][10] As of the time of the announcement of the revival on Amazon Freevee in November 2022, VTM 2 was airing episodes from 2021 and the finale was only scheduled to air in January 2024, at the then-current rate.[11] On 1 February 2024, VTM 2 aired the final part of the finale, after which, the rights to the revival were handed over to competing channel Play 5.[12]

Programming

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Since its parent company also owns VTM (as well as radio channels), it is not uncommon for programs (especially reruns) to be passed on from one channel to another.

Currently aired Imported productions

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Formerly aired Flemish (co-)productions

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Formerly aired Imported productions

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Peleman, Anja (2009). "What Is Going On Behind the 'Screens' of the Commercial Broadcasting System?" (PDF). Ghent University. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ Kanaal 2 voelt zich na vijf jaar volwassen
  3. ^ "Television Business International" (PDF). December 1995. p. 67. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  4. ^ Bartholomees, Bram (January 14, 2008). "New look VTM and 2BE announced on February 12". TV Visie. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  5. ^ Derde keer goede keer voor Kanaaltwee
  6. ^ "2BE is Q2, TV station of Qmusic". VTM News. June 10, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016..
  7. ^ "VTM2, VTM3 en VTM4 vervangen Q2, Vitaya en CAZ". De Tijd (in Dutch). 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  8. ^ "Quatre chaînes porteront désormais le nom VTM". 7sur7.be. 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  9. ^ "Neighbours" ("Buren") verhuist na meer dan 30 jaar van Eén naar VTM 2
  10. ^ Saerens, Zico (3 June 2021). "Neighbours moves from One to VTM 2 after more than 30 years" (in Dutch). VRT. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  11. ^ Vier maanden geleden werd "Neighbours" nog stopgezet (na 37 jaar), nu maakt Australische reeks al comeback
  12. ^ "Verrassing in soapland: Play 5 neemt 'Neighbours' over, dat door VTM 2 werd gedumpt" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
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