We have noted the judge’s ruling. “Now we are forced to discontinue part of our Saturday evening programming, wrong,” a Qmusic spokesperson said. “This is also particularly annoying for our DJs Armin van Buuren, Sunnery James, Ryan Marciano and Afrojack. We will definitely appeal against this.”

According to Q-Dance, Qmusic violated a 2005 settlement with programs specifically dedicated to dance music. The event organizer thinks Q-Dance and Qmusic are very similar. In the end, the two parties came to an agreement that the radio station could simply be called Qmusic, but only if the station was not actively promoting dance music. Qmusic does not adequately adhere to this Agreement, in Q-Dance’s opinion. With a new show full of dance music on Saturday, the channel breaks conventions. The judge agrees with Q-Dance.

future

Sander Belstra, Managing Director of Q-Dance is pleased that the judge ruled in favor of the event organizer. Our position is that Qmusic is in breach of the agreements and should immediately stop programming dance shows on Saturday evenings. We regret that going to court was necessary, but we are pleased with the ruling and now see this as a starting point and the basis for a healthy conversation about the future.”

The court ordered Qmusic to halt and discontinue its dance programs within fourteen days of the ruling. For each violation of this, Qmusic must pay a fine of €10,000. The broadcasting station must also pay the costs of the proceedings on the part of Q-Dance.