On Jan. 19, 2026, the northern Dutch provinces briefly felt like one broadcast region again. For several hours, Radio Drenthe, Radio Noord and Omrop Fryslân joined forces in a shared radio program, while retaining their own station IDs and jingles, to mark a special anniversary — 80 years since the founding of RON, the Regionale Omroep Noord.
The broadcast was more than a symbolic gesture. From early afternoon through early evening, the three regional public broadcasters aired a single program simultaneously across their radio services, supported by online video streams. The program originated from a location steeped in broadcasting history: the former RON studio in the Prinsenhof in Groningen, where regional radio for the North began shortly after the Second World War.
The joint program combined past and present. Music from Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe alternated with live reports from across the region, half-hourly news bulletins and conversations with listeners. Archival audio fragments brought the early days of regional broadcasting back to life. At the same time, reporters and presenters reflected on how radio in the North has evolved over eight decades — from a single regional service into three independent broadcasters with distinct identities.
A common origin and shared mission
The historical context gave the program particular significance. RON, founded in 1946, was the shared predecessor of today’s northern regional broadcasters. It later evolved into RONO before eventually splitting into the organizations now known as Radio Noord, Omrop Fryslân and Radio Drenthe. The anniversary broadcast served as a reminder that, despite institutional separation, the broadcasters share a common origin and shared mission: serving the people of the North with regional news, culture and stories.
For listeners, the program offered a rare moment of unity — a glimpse of how the northern Netherlands once sounded on the radio, and a reminder of the continuing strength of regional broadcasting today. In an era of digital fragmentation, the joint broadcast underlined the lasting value of regional radio and the historical ties that continue to connect the northern provinces. For one afternoon, the North spoke with one voice again — not out of necessity, but in celebration of 80 years of regional radio history.
These stories might interest you
NPO 3FM celebrates 60 years of innovation
BSI releases new automation music scheduler
Regional frequency auction in the Netherlands falls short of target
