Step Into the World of Media at Beeld & Geluid

Discover this Museum of Sound & Vision. 

Why Step into the world of Media at Beeld & Geluid with me? I will tell you more. After a summer holiday, I spent some time at home following my departure from KPN Broadcast after nearly five years. I suddenly realized I missed having a job. It wasn’t the long workweeks I had before. I missed being surrounded by young people. I enjoyed engaging with professionals. Yes, you might not believe it, but I even missed the responsibilities that come with a job. 

Being a volunteer is different, and running your own website -while rewarding- puts everything in your own hands. That is when I started looking around. It led me to work as a host at the TOP2000 Café for a few days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The location? Beeld & Geluid in Hilversum. I loved it!

After applying in early February, I officially joined their host pool. With 4-hour shifts, 2 to 3 times a week, surrounded by young professionals and visitors of all ages, interested in the world of broadcasting, it is exactly what I needed! 

So, I invite you to Step into the world of Media at Beeld & Geluid with me.

History

The foundation of Beeld & Geluid traces years back in the 20^th century when Dutch broadcasters began archiving radio and television recordings. Over time, the need for a centralized, professional archive grew. In 2006 the current iconic building was built. I remember that in the seventies a house on the other site of the street was painted completely pink. (Some found it horrible, others loved it). Now there was again a remarkable building with its colorful glass facade designed by Jaap Drupsteen. The glass panels featuring stills from famous Dutch TV moments. In the beginning with complaints of the neighbors because the light was so bright in the evening. After turning the lights down by the Museum in the evening, now I think most people in Hilversum are proud of the building.  

For my former KPN colleagues: do you remember the Postmuseum on the Zeestraat in The Hague, later known as the Museum for Communication, which housed the KPN Company Collection? Beeld & Geluid managed it during its final years before it closed in 2024. Now, part of that collection is in Hilversum.

Jaap Drupsteen designed the iconic colorful glass facade, which is a defining feature of the Beeld & Geluid building. His work blends abstract imagery with Dutch media history, making the building both a functional archive and a visual landmark. The facade looks like a test pattern, but the individual panels show images from TV history.

The Exhibition

There are pop-up exhibitions, like “50 years of Simplisties Verbond” just finished 😞. Expected an André van Duijn exhibition.

The Collection (permanent)

At the Media Museum, you will discover the influence of media through a unique, personalized experience. The museum is highly interactive, with an app and QR codes integrated throughout. 

As for me, I love these new developments! But if you are not someone who follows my motto, “always open to new things,” navigating the experience might feel challenging. My advice? Bring your grandchildren, they will guide you! 😉 And of course, we (the hosts) are always ready to help whenever you need it. 

“Always open to new things”

Leny

The experience is built around five key themes: Share, Inform, Sell, Tell, and Play. Just to name a few examples, you can: 

• Create your own news segment 

• Design an influencer campaign 

• Learn the techniques media creators use to tell stories and keep you binge-watching 

Plus, check out the timelines along the back walls to see how media has evolved, from Morse code, via KPN Greenpoint to smartphones. 

But Beeld & Geluid is more than just the Media Museum! 

Do you recognize this? benches are used during large collection campaigns, such as giro 555.

• Take a Hillywood Tour – A guided train tour through Media Park. 
• Explore the Archives – Join a guided tour inside the building. 

• In the media library at the customer service you can watch and listen to all the digital material. This is free of charge but reserve a time slot for this.

• Admire the Architecture – Learn about the stunning design of Beeld & Geluid. 
• Relax at the Grand Café – Enjoy a coffee or lunch in a vibrant setting. And with warmer days ahead, the terrace is a great spot to enjoy.

• Want to know more? Check out the links: 
  👉 Hillywood Tours 
  👉 Guided Archive Tour 
  👉 Building Architecture 

Practical

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm., for adjusted opening hours click here 

Location: Mediaparkboulevard 1, 1217 WE Hilversum, NL 

Parking: Next to the building is a parking lot. 

Public Transport: Station NS Mediapark is a 2-minute walk.

Access: Wheelchair friendly. Wheelchair user companion/Autism pass holder companion free

Prices and Discounts here

Bonus Tips 

🎨 Architectural Highlight 
The building was designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architects, the same firm behind the MAS Museum in Antwerp.

🎶 Music Lovers, Take Note! 
Want to enjoy some great music? Check out the opening video of the Top 2000 in 2024: 
🔗 Watch here 

🏛️ Discover More Media Architecture in Hilversum 
Explore the city’s media heritage with this guided architecture walk: 
🔗 From Gooise Broadcasting Villas to Media Park Bonus Tips

Thanks to AI for the emoticons, want to know more about How I use AI in my work check here

You can probably sense my enthusiasm for the museum, give it a try! And Step Into the World of Media at Beeld & Geluid. Who knows, we will even bump into each other there. (Like in this photo, where I unexpectedly ran into my former KPN colleagues).

Thanks Marco for the picture.

I’ve encouraged you to visit the museum. Now I’m curious. If you’re around my age, (let us say 60+) how did you experience it? Did you find it engaging, surprising, or maybe even a challenging experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts!