VPRO

The VPRO (stylized vpro; originally an acronym for Vrijzinnig Protestantse Radio Omroep, lit. 'Liberal Protestant Radio Broadcaster', nowadays known as Omroepvereniging VPRO) is a Dutch public broadcaster and a member of the Dutch public broadcasting system. The VPRO presents itself as a progressive broadcaster and mainly produces liberal, thought-provoking programmes focusing on society, culture and the arts. The VPRO was founded on 29 May 1926 by the liberal Protestant section of Dutch society, which wanted a radio broadcaster that would reflect liberal Protestant views and perspectives. The VPRO thus became one of the Netherlands' many broadcasters. The VPRO made a cultural shift in the late 1960s, becoming a progressive broadcaster. This meant a departure from their previous, more Protestant image. Since then, the VPRO has become known for its many artistic and liberal programmes. The number of members of the VPRO grew substantially in the 1980s, and since the 1990s the VPRO has been one of the Netherlands' best-known established broadcasters. In 2016, the VPRO partnered with the humanist broadcaster HUMAN. In 2022, the collaborative organization VPRO-HUMAN was founded. The two broadcasters remain independent, but they work together in some areas. Like all public broadcasters in the Netherlands, VPRO does not have its own television channel. VPRO often cooperates with foreign broadcasters such as WDR, the BBC, and Arte.