VTM or Vlaamse Televisie Maatschappij is the main commercial television station in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking north of Belgium and forms part of a network of channels owned by MEDIALAAN (formerly VMMa).
It was launched on February 1, 1989 and quickly became the most popular TV channel in the Flemish part of Belgium. Early programming consisted of local versions of game shows like 'Rad Van Fortuin' (Wheel of Fortune) or 'Waagstuk' (Jeopardy). The channel is also considered to have been instrumental in the rebirth of the local music industry as it was the first TV channel to promote local music through its primetime TV show 'Tien om te zien' (Ten to see), a weekly chart show with only local music productions.
The channel's focus on local music and local versions of international TV formats quickly allowed it to outperform public television in 1989 and the early 90s. Average marketshare went up to over 40% in 1993. Currently VTM is still the Flemish commercial market leader and the 2nd biggest channel in Flanders. It can be received on cable, digital cable, IPTV in Flanders and Belgium and by satellite in Europe.
Parent company MEDIALAAN also operates sister channels, including VTMKzoom (children's), as well as 2BE and JIM, as well as Vitaya. Many programs originally aired on VTM may later rerun on these other channels. The broadcaster also owns two radio stations: Q-music and JOEfm. It also formerly owned the now defunct Radio BemBem. In 2005 there were talks about MEDIALAAN buying the Flemish part of Canal Plus from Telenet but this fell through. In 2006 rumours spread that the RTL Group would buy 50% of MEDIALAAN, but VTM as well as RTL denied those plans.
In 2004, VTM lost its market dominance back to the public broadcaster VRT's flagship channel één. After its big rebrand in 2008 and the latest smaller rebrand in 2012, vtm regained strength with popular shows.
