Curtain falls on NPO Soul & Jazz

Dutch public broadcaster NPO closed its NPO Soul & Jazz channel on Sept. 1 as part of a wider restructuring of its services and organization. From July 25, the channel aired audio messages informing listeners of the planned closure.

NPO launched the channel as NPO Radio 2 Soul & Jazz on Jan. 1, 2016. It offered a predominantly music-based, advertising-free soul and jazz format with news on the hour and was available on DAB+ and online.

The closure formed part of NPO’s 2026 budget plans, which also covered NPO Campus Radio, NPO 2 Extra, BVN and BVN Online. NPO Campus Radio ended its DAB+ broadcasts on Sept. 1 but continues online, while NPO 2 Extra, BVN and BVN Online are due to close at the end of 2026.

“We make these choices with a heavy heart,” NPO board member Lucien Brouwer said when the plans were announced. “We recognize the impact on our employees, program makers and the public. Nevertheless, we must take responsibility, and this is the next step toward a futureproof public broadcasting system.”

Brouwer said NPO was preparing for structural budget cuts beginning in 2027 and a new system that will group broadcasters into larger broadcast organizations. He argued that the restructuring would allow the public broadcaster to operate more efficiently while keeping its content relevant and widely accessible to Dutch audiences.

“We realize that this decision affects a considerable number of loyal listeners and radio makers,” added Jurre Bosman, NPO director of media. “NPO Soul & Jazz and NPO Campus Radio are two unique channels and have made a valuable contribution to the public audio landscape for years. Because our budget is shrinking sharply, we have to make these difficult choices.”

Bosman said soul and jazz would remain part of NPO’s output. NPO Blend will add more soul music to its playlist, while NTR plans to launch a daily jazz podcast in 2027 and MAX will continue its weekly “InJazz” podcast.

The budget measures also include a reorganization expected to eliminate about 80 full-time positions. NPO plans to submit the reorganization plan to its works council in October.

“This will be a difficult and far-reaching process because behind those 80 positions are people — our NPO colleagues,” Brouwer said. “But it arises from the need to create a leaner and more efficient organization, free resources for our digital future and become more effective with a more compact organization.”