"With the World Championship everyone knows about it, but all those other tournaments": Vincent van der Voort hopes broadcast shift is next big step in Dutch darts

The announced shift of darts broadcasting rights from Viaplay to RTL was the big news out of Holland this past week. Although the takeover still needs approval and nothing will change for current Viaplay subscribers for now, speculation about the future is already in full swing. Former professional darter and analyst Vincent van der Voort is viewing the developments with optimism.

Van der Voort, who works as an analyst for Viaplay and, together with Damian Vlottes, produces the popular podcast Darts Draait Door, mainly sees opportunities if the deal becomes final. “It opens doors and creates possibilities for us as a podcast to do more things,” says Van der Voort. “That’s what we should hope for. It would be great.”

At the same time, the former player stresses that it is too early to draw firm conclusions. After all, the takeover has not yet been completed, and the exact setup of sports broadcasts on Videoland remains unknown. “It’s still so fresh, so there isn’t much to say about it yet. Videoland doesn’t have sports right now, so it will all be new for them as well. For the time being, nothing changes for the Viaplay team.”

Where Van der Voort especially sees potential is in promotion and visibility. According to him, darts still struggles to reach a broad audience outside the World Championship. Many fans know exactly when the Worlds start, but when it comes to the many floor events, Euro Tours, and televised tournaments during the season, it’s a different story, he says. “I hope that because darts will sit within DPG Media, it becomes more visible and easier to find. That will get more people watching and increase the sport’s popularity.”

According to Van der Voort, DPG Media, in combination with RTL, has a far larger media platform than is currently being used. Through television, news websites, radio, and online, much more attention can be given to upcoming tournaments. “It has to be easily accessible for people, so they know where and when it’s on. With DPG and RTL you have more options to advertise that a tournament is underway.”

It is precisely the smaller and lesser-known events that, in Van der Voort’s view, can benefit from extra promotion. The PDC World Darts Championship is a ratings juggernaut every year, but the rest of the calendar often doesn’t get the attention it deserves, he says. “With the World Championship everyone knows about it, but all those other tournaments… You quickly forget if it isn’t visible. There are so many opportunities.”

That greater visibility would be beneficial not only for TV ratings, but also for the sport as a whole. More exposure means more fans, greater interest from sponsors, and ultimately further growth of darts in the Netherlands.

Despite his optimism, Van der Voort emphasizes that darts fans will need to be patient for the time being. As long as the takeover has not been officially approved, broadcasts will continue on Viaplay and nothing will change for current subscribers.

Only once the deal is definitively completed will it become clear how RTL and Videoland will shape their darts coverage. It will also emerge what roles the current presenters, commentators, and analysts will continue to play.

For Van der Voort, curiosity prevails. He mainly sees opportunities for the sport and for those who work daily to bring darts to the fore. If the switch does go through, he hopes the sport finally gets the visibility he believes has been possible for years.