RTL 5 is a Dutch free-to-cable television channel that was launched on 2 October 1993. It mainly broadcasts American films and hit series but also reality shows, comedy, travel, international shows and local productions including Expeditie Robinson, Holland's Next Top Model & Benelux' Next Top Model, Dutch versions of America's Next Top Model, Dutch version of Project Catwalk, So You Think You Can Dance and a Dutch version of ITV's Take Me Out. Officially RTL 5 - along with RTL 4, RTL 7 and RTL 8 - is headquartered in Hilversum, broadcasting with a Luxembourg TV license. This allows them to avoid more severe control by the Dutch media authorities as Luxembourg's television watchdog is less strict. History RTL 5 started as RTL V via the Astra 1C satellite on 2 October 1993. The programming mainly consists of shows about cars and programmes for men. In 1994 it changed the Roman number V into 5. In 1995 Veronica joined RTL 4 S.A., starting a joint venture called HMG (Holland Media Groep), and with three major channels RTL could disrupt the television market in the Netherlands. Therefore, under pressure of the European Commission the channel was rebranded as RTL 5 Nieuws & Weer (in English: RTL 5 News & Weather) between 1997 and 1998. RTL 5 became a thematic news channel. In 2001 the European Commission reversed the restrictions for RTL 5 because competitive channels had been launched in the Netherlands. In 2001 a Business and Financial News block called RTL Z started on RTL 5 during daytime. RTL Z moved from RTL 5 to RTL 7 on 12 August 2005. Since 2005 RTL 5 has become a 24-hours channel. Series and shows currently shown Ambulance Ambulance Australia Big Brother Big Brother Australia (from series 12) Bondi Vet Dr. Phil Expeditie Robinson Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back Holland's Next Top Model RTL De Journal Series and shows previously shown or on hiatus 'Allo 'Allo! 18 Wheels of Justice 21 Jump Street 24 24: Live Another Day ALF A.U.S.A. Adam Zkt. Eva Age of Love Airwolf Alarm für Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei Aliens in America America's Next Top Model American Horror Story Australia's Next Top Model Babylon 5 Bad Girls Club Balls of Steel Beauty and the Geek Benelux' Next Top Model Biker Mice from Mars Bionic Woman Bodyshockers Bones Breaking Bad Breakout Kings Britain's Missing Top Model