Fans of the popular Dutch reality television show “Wie is de Mol?” (Who is the Mole?) are expressing their disappointment after AVROTROS, the show’s broadcaster, decided to discontinue simultaneous streaming access to the Belgian version, “De Mol,” via NPO Start. The change, announced earlier this week, means viewers in the Netherlands will no longer be able to watch both versions concurrently, a practice that had grow popular among dedicated fans of the franchise.
The decision has sparked criticism online, with many viewers arguing that AVROTROS has created a problem for themselves and their audience. “Wie is de Mol?” pits ten celebrities against each other in a series of challenges designed to earn money for a collective pot, while one participant secretly sabotages their efforts – the “Mole.” The show, which premiered in 1999, has become a cultural phenomenon in the Netherlands, consistently drawing high viewership and generating significant social media engagement.
According to reports, the change stems from a new agreement regarding streaming rights. Fans had previously enjoyed the ability to follow both the Dutch and Belgian iterations of the show on NPO Start, allowing for comparisons of strategies and potential mole reveals. Now, viewers will have to wait for the Belgian version to become available through other channels, if at all.
“Wie is de Mol?” has a long and storied history on Dutch television. Initially broadcast on AVRO from 1999 to 2014, the show transitioned to AVROTROS in 2015 and continues to air on NPO 1. The program has seen a rotating cast of presenters over the years, including Angela Groothuizen (1999–2005), Karel van de Graaf (2006–2007), Pieter Jan Hagens (2008–2011), Art Rooijakkers (2012–2018), Rik van de Westelaken (2019–present), and Hila Noorzai (2024). As of February 28, 2026, the show has aired 276 episodes across 26 seasons, plus three special episodes according to Wikipedia.
The show’s format, based on the Belgian program “De Mol,” involves contestants completing challenges in various international locations. The current season, like previous ones, requires teamwork and trust, but the presence of the Mole adds a layer of deception and intrigue. AVROTROS describes the show as an “adventurous game program” where “one of them is the Mole.”
The decision to limit simultaneous streaming access comes as AVROTROS and NPO face increasing competition from other streaming services. While NPO Start and NLZIET remain popular platforms for Dutch viewers, the rise of international players like Netflix and Disney+ has altered the media landscape. NPO Start currently hosts episodes of “Wie is de Mol?”
The frustration among fans is evident on social media, with many expressing their disappointment with AVROTROS’s decision. De Telegraaf reported that fans feel the broadcaster “created this problem themselves.” A post on Facebook from De Telegraaf’s Facebook page highlights the widespread discontent.
As the current season of “Wie is de Mol?” progresses, viewers will continue to speculate about the identity of the Mole. The show’s enduring popularity suggests that despite the streaming changes, it will remain a fixture of Dutch television for years to come. The next confirmed checkpoint for fans will be the airing of the next episode on NPO 1, where the stakes will continue to rise as the contestants get closer to uncovering the truth.
What are your thoughts on the streaming changes? Share your opinions in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow “Wie is de Mol?” fans!
