The public broadcasting companies have agreed how to save an annual €50m partly by reducing their number from 22 to eight.

In addition, the broadcasters have agreed to slash the number of websites and digital channels and make other efficiency savings. Programming will also be cut.
In September, Henk Hagoort, head of the Dutch public broadcasting authority, said the public broadcasting sector should reduce its sport and entertainment output to make sure quality is not affected by pending spending cuts.
The Netherlands has 22 public broadcasting companies and airtime is spread across three tv and a number of radio stations. They are funded by the treasury and advertising.