75 years of television. What a special edition of the Gouden Televizier-Ring Awards!
And this year was special for another reason, too. For the first time, the Gouden Televizier Oeuvre-Ring went to someone who made television history largely behind the scenes.
The godfather of Dutch television: Joop van den Ende!
GTST made an appearance. Now that really takes me back! But so did Westenwind, Goudkust, Wie Ben Ik?, André van Duin, Ron Brandsteder and Caroline Tensen.
Who remembers them?
Those were the days. Millions of people watching the same shows, then talking about them at school the next day.
But times are changing. And fast!
Shows that have been on television for decades are disappearing. Kassa, for example, is ending after more than 35 years. Meanwhile, YouTube, streaming, social media and AI are taking up an increasingly large part of our lives.
And as an entrepreneur and content creator, I find that fascinating.
Every day, people ask me where AI is heading. What our world will look like in 5 or 10 years. Whether we’ll even still be creating content ourselves.
The truth is, we don’t know!
Just as nobody 75 years ago could have predicted the impact television would have.
But there’s one thing I do know. We’re pioneers of a new era. We’re making history right now, while we’re living through it.
And 50 years from now, perhaps we’ll look back on our time with the same nostalgia that Joop van den Ende feels when he looks back on his.
That’s what got to me when I saw him become emotional. An 84-year-old man who has spent his entire life building, creating and innovating, now looking back at a world that’s slowly disappearing.
We’re all so busy thinking about tomorrow, growing and looking ahead that sometimes we forget just how special today really is.
So keep pioneering, keep building and keep dreaming. But above all, don’t forget to enjoy the present.
Because before you know it, these will be the good old days. Peter Pannekoek wrapped up with: “See you next year, if television still exists by then.”
A beautiful tribute, Joop! ❤️
Which TV show from the old days has stayed with you the most?
