For New Television – Financieele Dagblad

Ferdinand Grapperhaus

You used to have Michel Pollentier, filled the bottle with the puddle control from a pump into his armpit with the urine of his soigneur. Today, a little cyclist builds an auxiliary engine in the frame of his bike. If it continues may Lance Armstrong again this summer just to take part in the Tour kryptonite in his water bottle. Whether we see Valentino Rossi on a 500cc motorcycle when first arriving at Alpe d’Huez.

I’d like to see a documentary series about the history of cheating in the sport, with solid analysis what it led to. But I have therefore nothing to say, because what I see on TV determine the broadcasters. And that is not much. What we are seeing now are broadcasters competing with their own current affairs, talk shows, drama and quiz – not to mention each his own foreign series purchased. The Great British Bake Off his own TV program.

It’s a mystery to me why in our society still depillarized budget of € 700 million of taxpayers’ money that is spent on public broadcasting, is distributed over the broadcasting columns. Broadcasters have, as such, at this juncture little added value. It is salient that last year showed that memberships of broadcasting since 2012 significantly reduced as a gift ban for new members is set. Either without free spoon we are not interested.

The proposal for the new media law in any case provides perspective. Dutch Public Broadcasting has a central role in deciding on the allocation of broadcasting funds. Producers should there directly offer their programs. If we want there to a wide audience always original and exciting programs should be seen, the starting point must be the creativity of filmmakers and producers, and not by column and salvation biased mindset broadcasters.

Onze creative television industry is also a top export product, so let’s encourage maximum. That the public broadcaster only information, culture and education should do and no entertainment or sports would be allowed to emit more, I still find nonsense. It’s not the kind of programs, but a rigorous selection based on quality and versatility.

And on the Internet, I can see everything. But there you have it: that so much money goes to television, a has-been-medium is not forward-looking. That money could be better spent on a public internet channel.

Television or internet, I look forward to that sports which informs me the cheating culture of cycling, and teaches me how I as an amateur myself an auxiliary engine in my frame could screws.

Ferdinand Grapperhaus is professor and lawyer in employment.