According to the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure, the auction for regional commercial radio frequencies has concluded, raising €5.56 million, well below the intended €9.2 million. The auction closed on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Ten broadcasters have secured licenses to operate on FM and DAB+ from Sept. 1, 2025, through August 2035. The winning bidders include Radio Limburg 97 FM, GLXY Radio, Regionale Radio Frequentie, GPR Networks (GrandPrixRadio), Blended Broken Beats (Arrow Blues Box), Tida, Radio JND, Radio Simone, Stichting Masalsa (Sunrise FM) and Stichting Radika (Amor FM). A total of 27 regional frequency packages were awarded.
Key frequency changes:
- Lot B01 — Amsterdam and Noord Holland-North: Previously used by alternative rock station Kink, this package, with transmitters in Amsterdam (11kW) and Alkmaar (15kW), goes to Radio Limburg 97 FM. The broadcaster says it plans a new station, potentially with international branding.
- Lot B02 — Northern Noord Holland: Currently used by Wild FM Hitradio and already home to GLXY Radio, this expanded package also goes to GLXY Radio BV, which continues its urban format under owner Bart Meuleman.
- Lot B05 — Randstad: Currently used by dance station Slam, formerly Fresh FM. This package also goes to GLXY Radio BV. Slam is expected to lose its FM presence in this region.
- Lot B06 — Rotterdam: This highly valuable lot, featuring a powerful 36.3kW transmitter, was awarded to GPR Networks (GrandPrixRadio). Owners Olav Mol and Alexander Stevens say the company is well-positioned to broadcast across much of the Randstad, possibly evolving from GrandPrixRadio to a broader sports format.
- Lot B12 — Friesland: A network of six transmitters, including Leeuwarden and Tjerkgaast, will go to Regionale Radio Frequentie BV, likely for RadioNL.
- Lot B20 — Gelderland: Arrow Blues Box wins this group of seven frequencies and plans a new regional station in central Netherlands.
- Lot B21 — Noord-Brabant: This ten-frequency lot goes to Tida BV, which is developing a new concept to replace Radio 10 Brabant, no longer permitted under current rules.
- Lot B25 — South Limburg: This network, which features a key transmitter in Heerlen, goes to Radio Limburg 97 FM BV. The owner has publicly expressed pride in winning this lot alongside the Amsterdam area licence.
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