The NPO has ordered Paul de Leeuw to stop his traditional Sinterklaas show, because it would be too much entertainment for entertainment’s sake. The big question is: who will strike now? RTL or SBS?
It is not the primary task of the NPO to broadcast entertainment TV, but entertainment may be used by the public broadcaster to achieve an informative, cultural or educational goal or to attract and engage an audience so that these goals are brought to their attention. In other words: using entertainment as a kind of lure.
Santa has to get out
The Entertainment policy specifies how it is determined whether programs classified as entertainment have been used in this way. “The NPO Entertainment policy stipulates that titles that do not pass the test for two consecutive years must disappear,” the public broadcaster explains.
And that means bad news for some programs. “Based on the results in 2024 and 2025, the Sint & De Leeuw program must be scrapped.”
Tina is shocked
TV authority Tina Nijkamp is shocked. “Hey, what am I reading now on the NPO website? Sint and De Leeuw will NOT return. Deleted by the NPO. Does NOT meet the criteria that Amusement must meet at the NPO,” she writes on her analysis channel.
She continues: “Sint and the Lion are no longer allowed. Good for around 1.5 million viewers every year. Too bad for the viewer and Paul de Leeuw! Apparently it does not pass the ‘test’. Wondering what Jan Slagter thinks about this and whether Paul and Jan already know this.”
Jan responds
A spokesperson for Omroep MAX said: RTL Boulevard do not respond immediately to the report. It also seems to be news for Jan Slagter’s club.
Tina expects a move to RTL or SBS. Paul’s good friend Frans Klein works for the latter party. “December 5 falls on a Saturday this year and therefore does not have to be tied to VI. That seems like a plus,” says a Tina spy. “Although Paul de Leeuw is of course more visible at RTL on a project basis.”