NPO 3 Live Stream

NPO 3 is one of three terrestrial television channels operated by NPO in the Netherlands and serves as an educational channel that features programs from member-based non-profit broadcasting associations that cater to children, youth, and innovative content.

At first, it was proposed that the third Dutch public television channel be established through a joint venture with Flemish public broadcaster VRT (then known as BRTN), with programming tailored specifically towards collaboration between Netherlands/Flanders programs. BRT (now VRT) proposed cooperating to continue or terminate its second channel by operating it more profitably. Unfortunately, this plan fell through but led to the establishment of a television channel targeting Dutch and Flemish communities living overseas. Two Dutch broadcasters, NPO and RNW, launched BVN as Zomer TV in 1996 with all programming coming from within the Netherlands (hence its initial title: Het Beste Van Nederland; "the Best of Nederland"). However, that changed once VRT started contributing financially and providing programs, shifting BVN away from exclusively Dutch programming towards one that encompassed Dutch programming from both Flanders and Holland.

NPO 3 was initially established under the name 'Nederland 3' on April 4th 1988; however, the channel had already been used experimentally during the Winter Olympic Games held earlier in Calgary that same year. Nederland 3 became home for broadcasters like VPRO, VARA, RVU and NPS who shared progressive viewpoints; its initial emphasis was news, culture and sports coverage.

In September 2000, AVRO, BNN, EO, KRO and TROS joined this channel in producing more content for its programming output. The channel featured news, debate, culture and innovative television before evening programs under its Z@ppelin brand catered specifically towards children.

NPO's television channels experienced some minor modifications in September 2006. Nederland 3 still provides programming aimed at children during daytime hours; during evening hours however, its programming seeks to appeal to an open-minded audience through innovative educational programming as well as occasional sports programming. All Dutch public broadcasting organizations have air time on Nederland 1, 2 and 3, except youth-oriented broadcaster BNN which airs exclusively on Nederland 3.

On 15 September 2007 the three National Public Radio channels Nederland 1, 2, and 3 all switched completely to anamorphic widescreen; prior to this date some programming was already broadcast in widescreen format.

On 4 July 2009, all three channels began simulcasting in 1080i high definition (HD). Prior to this change in permanent HD service provision, Nederland 1 HD made available a test version from 2 June to 24 August for Euro 2008 coverage, Tour de France cycling event broadcasts, and Summer Olympic coverage in HD.

On March 12, 2013, the NPO announced that Nederland 1, 2, and 3 would be rebranded to NPO 1, 2, and 3, in order to make them more recognizable among viewers and make programs easier to locate. The final phase of this rebranding took place on 19 August 2014.