The channel started in 1996 as Zomer-TV, an operation aimed at making Dutch-language programming available to Dutch and Flemish holidaymakers abroad. All of its programming originally came from the Netherlands but this was later adapted, once the Flemish Region of Belgium began contributing both financially and with output from the schedules of VRT, to het Beste van Vlaanderen en Nederland: "the best of Flanders and the Netherlands". Radio Nederland Wereldomroep was involved as a founding partner, but left in 2012. In March 2007 BVN changed its scheduling from three 8-hour programming blocks to two 12-hour blocks: this provided more room for the inclusion in the schedules of such popular shows as De Wereld Draait Door
Access
There are three main access methods:
Satellite - A range of satellites carry BVN, often as a free-to-air channel. User need to be within the "footprint" of a satellite that carries the channel, and have a suitable dish and receiver.
Cable - Cable television providers in many places have BVN as one of the available channels
BVN broadcasts daily news bulletins from VRT and NOS. The 1pm and 7pm editions of VRT's Het Journaal are transmitted on a short time delay at 1300 and 1905 CET from Sunday to Friday. The 1900 bulletin is broadcast from 1915 on Saturdays. The main 2000 bulletin from NOS Journaal is broadcast at 2030 CET and features a specially produced international weather forecast. A short bulletin is also carried at 1600 CET on weekdays and at 1605 on weekends. Current affairs output on weekdays consists of the magazine programme EénVandaag at 1830 CET, Nieuwsuur and Terzake at around midnight CET. EénVandaag is produced by independent pillar broadcasters while Nieuwsuur is co-produced by NOS and the NTR. Terzake is produced by VRT. On Sundays, BVN carries a delayed broadcast of VRT's current affairs magazine De Zevende Dag at 1330 CET followed by the political talk showBuitenhof at 1530. Topical debate and entertainment programmes also feature in the schedule including De wereld draait door at 1940 CET and Pauw or Jinek at around 2350 CET. Both programmes are off-air during the Summer and are produced by BNN-VARA subsidiary VARA.
Sport
NOS produces 15 minutes sports news bulletins called Sportjournaal on weekdays along with Studio Sport, a longer sports news and highlights programme on Saturday nights. The sports magazine show Holland Sport is broadcast periodically on Saturday afternoons. During the football season, Eredivisie highlights are broadcast in NOS's Studio Sport on Saturday nights & Sunday evenings. VRT's sports coverage is featured daily within short sports bulletins on Het Journaal at 1300 and 1900. On Sundays throughout the year, the 1910 Het Journaal bulletin is shortened to 20 minutes to allow for a half-hour round-up entitled Sportweekend to follow at 1930. During the football season, the 1300 bulletin on Sunday features an extended goals round-up from the Jupiler League.
Children
BVN features a daily block of children's programming, consisting of new and archived programming from various pillar broadcasters in the Netherlands, NTR, the NPOchildren's television stations Z@pp as well Z@ppelin and the VRT children's television station, Ketnet. Dedicated news and current affairs output for children is also broadcast at weekends, including a weekly current affairs programme Schooltv-weekjournaal, on Saturdays and a news review, NOS Jeugdjournaal Overzicht, on Sundays.
Features and entertainment
BVN's daily schedule features entertainment, documentaries and features output. Programming includes documentary seriesSpoorloos, the quiz show Blokken and the long running sitcom Thuis as well as various music specials.
Drama
BVN broadcasts a number of popular drama series and serials including Klem and Flikken Rotterdam. During the summer, BVN transmits movies from the Netherlands and Flanders on Saturday nights.
