Omroep Zwart

Omroep Zwart (Dutch: [ˈɔmrup sʋɑrt], lit. 'Broadcaster Black'), also known simply as Zwart (stylised in all caps), is a Dutch broadcasting association that is part of the Dutch public broadcasting system since 1 January 2022. The initiators are rapper Akwasi Ansah and film director Gianni Lieuw-A-Soe.^[1] The goal of the broadcaster is to create inclusive programs with new people, including those with different skin colors, preferences, origins, sexual orientations, backgrounds, or disabilities.^[2] The broadcaster collaborates with BNNVARA.^[3]

Omroep Zwart

Country	Netherlands
Programming
Language(s)	Dutch
History
Founded	2021
Launched	27 May 2022 (2022-05-27)
Founder	Akwasi Ansah Gianni Lieuw-A-Soe
Links
Website	omroepzwart.nl

Provisional recognition as an aspiring broadcaster

On 31 March 2021, it was announced that Zwart had reached the 50,000 members required to be eligible for admission to the NPO.^[4] In July 2021, this broadcaster received provisional recognition from minister Arie Slob.^[5] It was announced that Zwart will be able to broadcast on Dutch public television from 2022 and that it was provisionally recognized as an aspiring broadcaster. This recognition is valid until 2026. In November 2021, Zwart made an online marathon broadcast.^[6]

Programmes

Since 2022, Zwart has been broadcasting programmes on the Dutch public broadcasting system. Initially, the broadcaster was allowed to air De nacht is Zwart ('The Night Is Black') on the public radio two nights a week, and has a regular segment on Giel Beelen's programme on NPO Radio 2. The first television programme, Podium Zwart on NPO 3, a late-night music and culture programme presented by Glen Faria [nl] and Veronica van Hoogdalem [nl], was aired on 27 May 2022. The premiere, on a Friday night, only attracted 23,000 viewers.^[7]

Television programs

Source:^[8]

• Podium Zwart (2022, NPO 3)
• Once Upon a Timeline (2022, NPO 3)
• Idris Elba's Fight School (2022, NPO 3)

Documentaries

• Een Gat in Mijn Hart (2022, NPO 2)
• De Afhaalchinees (2023, NPO3)

Radio programs

• De Nacht Is Zwart (2022, NPO Radio 1)
• De Nacht van Zwart (2022, NPO Radio 1)
• Wat Anders (2022, NPO 3FM)

Podcasts

• Rouwrituelen (2022)

Presenters

• Milouska Meulens [nl](2022–present)^[9]
• Amber Roner (2022–present)
• Ciana Mayam (2022–present)^[10]
• Lara Lauwigi (2022–present)^[11]
• Elif Kan (2022–present)^[12]
• Glen Faria [nl] (2022–present)^[13]
• Veronica van Hoogdalem [nl] (2022–present)
• Vincent Reinders (2022–present)
• Akwasi (2022–present)
• Roosmarijn Wind [nl] (2022–present)

Criticism

• Founder Akwasi faced criticism for his speech at a Black Lives Matter protest on the Dam Square in Amsterdam, in which he promised to kick Zwarte Piet characters in the face. During an interview with EO presenter Hans van der Steeg, he took the laptop of the editorial team and forced the recording of the conversation to be removed.^[14] Akwasi later apologized during an interview.^[15]