AVRO, short for Algemene Vereniging Radio Omroep ("General Association of Radio Broadcasting"), was a Dutch public broadcasting association operating within the framework of the Nederlandse Publieke Omroep system. It was the first public broadcaster in the Netherlands. In 2014 AVRO merged with fellow broadcaster TROS to form AVROTROS.[1]
History
A model of AVRO Studios in the miniature park MadurodamThe main entrance of the studios
On 8 July 1923, Hilversumsche Draadlooze Omroep was launched by the Nederlandsche Seintoestellen Fabriek (in English: Dutch Transmitter Factory) under supervision of Willem Vogt. On 21 July 1923, it provided the first regular radio broadcast in the Netherlands. In 1927 it changed its name into Algemeene Nederlandsche Radio Omroep (ANRO), followed soon by a merger with Nederlandsche Omroep Vereeniging (NOV). On 28 December 1927, the two merged broadcasters continued as Algemeene Vereeniging Radio Omroep (A.V.R.O., in English: "General Association of Radio Broadcasting").[2]
AVRO was historically associated with the liberal pillar, a fact reflected in its longtime slogan, "promoting freedom."
On 2 September 1999, AVRO adopted its fourth and last logo, consisting of the "Avro" wordmark made up of blue stripes, except the letter "o" made up of a blue ball.
On 7 September 2014, AVRO merged with its fellow broadcaster TROS to create one company known as AVROTROS.
