Terneuzen, May 15, 2025. Cellnex Netherlands B.V., of which Cellnex Broadcast Partners is part, has acquired Radio Netwerk Nederland (RNN), part of N. Silvius Holding (NSH), effective May 15, 2025. With this acquisition Cellnex Broadcast Partners strengthens their position in the Dutch radio distribution market and takes an important step towards further innovation and stability of the Dutch radio network.
The acquired business specifically includes the airwaves radio distribution services; the production of commercial radio programs and online radio distribution NLRadio remain the property of Nico Silvius. The staff of RNN will not be acquired and will continue to work within N. Silvius Holding.
The acquisition, effective immediately, allows both parties to focus fully on their core activities. The move will allow Nico Silvius to concentrate on the exploitation and production of its radio programs, such as RADIONL, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. In addition, with the upcoming frequency auction, the acquisition offers Nico Silvius the opportunity to focus on strengthening and continuing regional and national radio services within the Dutch NLCO market. With the acquisition, Cellnex Broadcast Partners focuses on expanding and improving radio infrastructure for regional and national providers.
RNN acquisition strengthens network Cellnex Broadcast Partners
Cellnex Broadcast Partners is carefully integrating RNN’s operations into its network, fully preserving the existing infrastructure, including RNN’s recently constructed networks for NLPO. The regional and local radio distribution infrastructure will be seamlessly integrated into Cellnex Broadcast Partners’ broader system, offering customers greater quality, flexibility and a more robust radio network. Moreover, this integration leads to economies of scale, allowing customers to benefit from better value for money.
In addition, combining the airwaves infrastructure creates operational advantages that ensure increased continuity. Thanks to the acquisition, uptime – keeping stations continuously operational – is further optimized, guaranteeing stable reception for listeners.
“This acquisition offers direct benefits to our customers,” said Nuno Carvalhosa, CEO of Cellnex Netherlands. “We strengthen our network, accelerate technological innovations and can serve our customers in a more targeted way. Moreover, it is not only a step forward for today, it is also an investment in a future-proof all-Netherlands radio network that will benefit both regional and national radio stations.”
A mutually beneficial acquisition
The acquisition of RNN fits well with Cellnex Broadcast Partners’ ambition to play a greater role in the airwaves distribution of the Dutch radio world. With the recent appointment of Jens Timmermans as commercial director, 20 years of radio industry experience was brought in. Jens Timmermans, commercial director at Cellnex Broadcast Partners is therefore very pleased with the acquisition: “This step fits seamlessly with our ambition to further innovate and stabilize the Dutch radio market. Nico Silvius has proven with RNN how to deliver excellent services from the core of the radio world, especially in the local and regional area. We are delighted to add these qualities to our portfolio and to continue delivering for RNN’s existing customers the quality and networks they are used to.”
Nico Silvius, owner of N. Silvius Holding, added: “This acquisition allows us to focus entirely on making and operating radio, which ties in with the upcoming frequency auction.”
About Cellnex Broadcast Partners
Since 1979 Cellnex Broadcast Partners has been serving all radio stations in the Netherlands and Flanders in the field of FM and DAB transmitter parks As part of Cellnex Netherlands, it supplies FM and DAB transmitter parks to prominent customers such as Radio 538, NPO, VRT, Qmusic and various regional broadcasters in the Dutch market. Cellnex Netherlands, part of Europe’s largest wireless infrastructure provider, supports both mobile networks and the media industry with digital solutions and smart networks. Together, Cellnex Broadcast Partners and Cellnex Netherlands provide innovative, reliable services in the media and telecommunications sector.
About Radio Netwerk Nederland and Nico Silvius Holding (NSH).
Radio Netwerk Nederland (RNN) is a Dutch company, founded in 2018, that focuses on the construction, management and maintenance of FM and DAB+ broadcast networks. It is headquartered in Sneek. The company manages more than 80 FM stations and provides services to both national and local broadcasters. In addition to FM solutions, RNN also provides support for DAB+ networks. In 2023, RNN was commissioned by Radio4All to create a new, sustainable FM network, using energy-efficient transmitters and 16 antenna set-up points across the Netherlands. With an innovative and customer-oriented approach, 24/7 monitoring and a team of specialized technicians, RNN provides reliable, efficient and future-oriented radio infrastructures.
