WE MAKE RADIO HAPPEN

1979

The founding of CBT, later Broadcast Partners

Perhaps the most important year in the history of Broadcast Partners, 1979, when CBT Electronic was founded by Robert-Jan in a small apartment in Terneuzen. The apartment quickly became too small, so an old building in the city center of Terneuzen was rented. Later, CBT was renamed Broadcast Partners and the old building was exchanged for a building on Axelsestraat.

1980

How it all began...

Broadcast Partners starts by selling antennas in Northern France. Later, we expand to Belgium and then to the Netherlands.

1985

Broadcast Partners delivers the first type-approved transmitter to local broadcasters

Local broadcasters become possible in the Netherlands. This is how Broadcast Partners starts supplying transmitters to these local radio stations. Hundreds of them have been sold.

1989

In the late 1980s, Broadcast Partners acquires knowledge about the spectrum

This leads to a collaboration with commercial broadcasters who all want to be on FM but are not allowed by the government. This collaboration leads to major changes and the decision of the minister to investigate the FM band "zerobase" for possibilities of more frequencies. Subsequently, we ourselves set the direction for how that zerobase frequency plan should look and ultimately design it, with limited but important cooperation from the government.

1998

Broadcast Partners, the network provider in the Netherlands!

Meanwhile, from 1998 onwards, we provide commercial broadcasters with frequency space through experimental licenses that our company manages to obtain from the AT (Authority for Consumers and Markets). This allows the commercial stations to have significant access to the FM band before a distribution of frequencies. In this year, we become the network provider in the Netherlands. Five out of seven commercial broadcasters are directly served by us. Broadcast Partners grows immensely and focuses on innovative projects.

2000

Zero-base FM frequency plan is launched

Broadcast Partners presents the new Zero-base FM frequency plan. This is one of the first FM transmitters we built for it in 1997. Over the coming years, we will continue to expand this plan further.

2001

Network provider in Belgium

In Flanders, we also launch plans for more space on the FM band. We collaborate with private parties who can still benefit from this to this day. In this year, we play a major role in the revision of the 'provisional' FM frequency plan for Belgium and become a network provider in Belgium.

Did you know that many employees from back then still work at our company?

2003

The biggest transition in Dutch history

The Zero-base FM frequency plan of 2000 is implemented operationally, marking the biggest transition and increase in FM frequencies in Dutch history. We are proud of this achievement!

2003

Network provider in Denmark

In this year, we also win the tender from the Danish government. We are tasked with revising the Danish FM frequency plan and become a network provider in Denmark.

2004

Heading to Belgium

The 'provisional' frequency plan from 2001 for Belgium becomes final and is implemented by us. Here we are in Antwerp.

2007

We're heading to Georgia and Spain!

We're expanding our horizons. Broadcast Partners undertakes projects in Georgia and Spain. It's interesting and challenging to be able to work in these countries!

2010

A renewed FM infrastructure network

The year in which we win the tender from the Dutch Public Broadcasters. As a result, Broadcast Partners becomes the network operator for all four national FM networks. Before the actual start date of the contract, we renew the entire FM infrastructure network.

2011

Heading to Armenia!

Broadcast Partners is increasingly crossing borders, this time for a project in Armenia. The beautiful view almost made us forget about the extreme cold. We were able to deliver great work there as well, mission accomplished!

2013

Working on a new DAB+ network

Once again, we win a tender, this time for the national DAB+ network. It's exciting to work on a new digital network! This network was completed within the requested three months.

2014

FM distribution for three major regional broadcasters

In this year, Broadcast Partners is entrusted with FM distribution for three major regional broadcasters in the Netherlands. It's a challenge where we get to deliver excellent work to well-known broadcasters in the Netherlands!

2015

AerOn Studio takes off and heads to Germany!

We launch the new professional radio automation AerOn Studio! In this year, Broadcast Partners also becomes a major shareholder in Divicon Media in Germany. Here you see a nice picture of our business visit to Germany.

2016

The introduction of SmartRadio!

In this year, we launch the new Visual Radio software AerOn Visual and Radix for DAB+. The AerOn Axemble DAB+ multiplexer, developed by Broadcast Partners, is also introduced to the market this year, and we begin the introduction of SmartRadio!

2017

Two new FM networks realized

Broadcast Partners ensures that two new national FM networks are operational again in the Netherlands. A successful job done by our team of engineers!

2018

We're going to work on a new national DAB network!

In this year, we proudly secure the contract for a new national DAB network! We will start working on the new digital network and then roll it out nationwide.

2019

Best of Show AWARD at the IBC!

Broadcast Partners wins the Best of Show award at the IBC in Amsterdam for SmartRadio! Proud! And in this year, the aXemble Cloud solutions become available to users.

2019

Cellnex Telecom

Cellnex Telecom acquires Broadcast Partners’ distribution business. This acquisition marks the beginning of a closer collaboration between the two entities that keep operating independently.

2020

VRT uses SmartRadio!

VRT is going to use SmartRadio. A milestone! Making radio in the Cloud, remotely, who wouldn't want that? SmartRadio is gaining more and more ground, even among well-known broadcasters.

2022

We keep growing!

Did you know that many people from the old photos still work at Broadcast Partners? Since 1979, we have grown tremendously and we continue to grow. Currently, we have around 75+ valued employees in our company!

2022

About Robert-Jan, founder of Broadcast Partners

Robert-Jan has been building and working on Broadcast Partners, TBG, and Ontower for over forty years.

2022

Appointment of new management

The management of Broadcast Partners has been expanded due to the strong growth of the company. The management now consists of Laura Waverijn, Werner de Schepper, and Pascal Levrier. They will jointly manage the company, with a division of tasks that entails Laura taking on the general management, Pascal directing the operational matters related to the broadcasting networks, and Werner overseeing the remaining technology. There is, of course, some overlap between the portfolios. Robert-Jan remains involved in the management and focuses mainly on commercial matters and the strategic development of the company.

From left to right: Laura, Werner, & Pascal

2023

Peter van Klei

Peter van Klei is appointed the new Business Director of Broadcast Partners in substitution of Robert-Jan. With his extensive experience, Peter focuses on serving our key clients. Robert-jan transfers to Peter and the rest of management the commercial responsibilities and becomes an on request external advisor to the company.

2023

Together, we are one!

Cellnex Telecom acquires the remaining business from Broadcast Partners, namely the equipment and software licenses businesses. With this acquisition, Cellnex becomes the sole shareholder of all businesses under the Broadcast Partners brand. Our commitment to high-quality service, innovation, and customer satisfaction remains unchanged.