The Best TV Shows on NPO 3

Every NPO 3 Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Our curated list, current as of July 2025, showcases over 20 of NPO 3’s highest-rated series. For top-tier entertainment, NPO 3 delivered Jeugdjournaal and Pingu in 1981 and 1986. NPO 3’s extensive portfolio includes more than 20 shows, spanning the years from 1981 to 2023.

  • Sinterklaasjournaal
    Sinterklaasjournaal (2001)8.6

  • Commandos
    Commandos (2020)8.6

    Former commando John de Koning, traumatized by a failed mission in Nigeria, is confronted with a murderer trying to eliminate his former comrades in battle. He starts the fight, but ends up in a war in which he threatens to lose his mates, his family and himself.

  • De Luizenmoeder
    De Luizenmoeder (2018)8.2

    After a divorce, Hannah decides to get her life back on track.

  • Tropenjaren
    Tropenjaren (2022)8.0

    Tropenjaren is a comedy about the whirlwind of new parenthood and a former life that’s gone for good. When Jelle and his wife Rosa welcome their first child, a new chapter unfolds. The young parents strive to do their best for their daughter Stella while also trying to keep their work lives and relationship as lively and ambitious as ever. Nights out and parties, however, quickly give way to diapers and babysitters. In short, the couple is gearing up for the tropenjaren—the intense early years of parenting.

  • CAST
    CAST (2023)8.0

  • Ranking the Stars
    Ranking the Stars (2006)7.7

    Ten Dutch celebrities participate in each broadcast. Two non-ordinary questions are asked of the Dutch celebrities per episode, such as "Who would have the easiest time going forty days without sex?", "Who used to be chosen last in gymnastics?" and "Who is your best friend?". The broadcasts claim that for each question a panel of 100 people compiled in advance a top 10 in which the famous candidates were "ranked."

  • Penoza
    Penoza (2010)7.7

    Carmen, the daughter of a notorious Amsterdam drug lord, reluctantly takes charge of the family's smuggling business in order to clear her husband's debts.

  • Zondag met Lubach
    Zondag met Lubach (2014)7.7

    Sunday with Lubach is a satirical television program of the VPRO network that is presented by Arjen Lubach.

  • Dunya & Desie
    Dunya & Desie (2002)7.3

  • #BOOS
    #BOOS (2016)7.0

  • Boerderij van Dorst
    Boerderij van Dorst (2021)7.0

  • Pingu
    Pingu (1986)6.9

    Playful penguin Pingu lives with his family in Antarctica, where he often finds himself caught up in mischievous high jinks with his pal Robby.

  • I know who you are
    I know who you are (2018)6.1

    After wrecking his car in a deserted road in the middle of the forest and being found with the blood and mobile phone of his niece, successful criminal lawyer Daniel Elias can no longer remember who he is but must find a way to prove his innocence, even though he does not know whether he is guilty or not.

  • Arcadia
    Arcadia (2023)6.0

    Following a major catastrophe, a new society, Arcadia, is born. Resources have become scarce and a point system, known as the Citizen Score, is introduced. It determines what you can and may do and what a citizen is entitled to.

  • The First Years
    The First Years (2014)4.8

    The First Years is a Dutch series for young people in which real-life situations are recreated. The series sheds light on subjects that pupils in the first year of secondary school may be confronted with.

  • Best Friends
    Best Friends (2007)3.0

    Best Friends follows the life of a group of friends at their high school ‘Spangalis College’. Inside and outside of school exciting and challenging experiences take place. Growing up is never easy; every character has its own, unique story of love, friendship, loneliness, sorrow, discovery. There is drama and joy in school, family, teachers, parents, divorce, bullying, and always dreams for the future.

  • Draadstaal
    Draadstaal (2007)1.5

    Draadstaal is a satirical sketch comedy television program of the VPRO, and CCCP 2 Dutch production company and broadcaster. It was created by CCCP and Jeroen van Koningsbrugge and Dennis van de Ven. The show features lots of recurring stereotypical characters. The program is reminiscent of the work of Van Kooten en De Bie.

  • Jeugdjournaal
    Jeugdjournaal (1981)N/A

    Jeugdjournaal is a Dutch television news programme produced by the Dutch public service broadcaster NOS for children. The programme has been broadcast since 1981. The aim of Jeugdjournaal is to present news that is both of interest and understanding to young viewers, without shying away from the main national and international news headlines. The broadcasts are viewed extensively by older viewers; about one-sixth of the programme's viewership are adults. Jeugdjournaal is involved in setting up similar shows in several countries where neutral news broadcasts are scarce. A main evening programme airs at 6:45pm, running for 15 minutes every night on Nederland 3. A 5-minute update also airs on weekdays at 4:25pm. The short afternoon updates and a weekly compilation programme are broadcast on the international Dutch-language television station, BVN.

  • Nieuw Zeer
    Nieuw Zeer (2020)N/A

  • De Faker
    De Faker (2021)N/A