Sinterklaasjournaal tops Dutch viewing figures for third day, but audience falls

The Sinterklaasjournaal was the Netherlands’ most-watched programme for a third consecutive day on Wednesday, drawing an average of 1.8 million viewers, according to preliminary figures from the National Media Research organisation (NMO). Its audience was down on the previous two days, when the programme set successive viewing records, Nieuws.nl reported.

Tuesday’s episode drew almost 2.33 million viewers, according to ratings analyst Tina Nijkamp, surpassing Monday’s 2.30 million. Wednesday’s figure did not set a new record.

The NTR children’s programme has kept viewers guessing for three episodes about who will play Sinterklaas this year. The broadcaster has promised that the new Sinterklaas will appear at Saturday’s national arrival. Stefan de Walle had played the role in the programme and at the national arrival since 2011. The reason for his departure has not been made clear.

Political turmoil in The Hague also lifted audiences for current-affairs programmes. Eva received eight extra minutes of airtime because of developments during the broadcast and averaged 1.1 million viewers. Pauw & De Wit drew one million, up from about 700,000 on both Monday and Tuesday.