ANP, PR Newswire and modern Dutch alternatives in 2026

By Sophie Lindqvist · Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

How wire services work in the Dutch market

Wire services help organisations send press releases to journalists. In the Netherlands, ANP is the oldest and most recognised provider. ANP distributes releases through its Vakmedia network.

A single Vakmedia press release costs around 485 euros. ANP Net, which targets regional press, costs about 748 euros per release. PR Newswire is an international service owned by Cision.

It offers global reach and multimedia distribution. Both services are popular for large campaigns or announcements that need wide coverage.

Journalists in the Netherlands often receive dozens of press releases every day. Many releases go unread. Wire services solve this by putting releases in a central feed. But they do not help communicators find the right journalists or manage follow-up questions. This is where modern alternatives come in.

the platform as the only Dutch all-in-one platform

PR-Dashboard is a Dutch platform that combines four modules in one system. The first module is De Perslijst, which is a journalist database. Users can find media, journalists and influencers that fit their press release.

They can send releases in their own house style. The second module is PR-Newsroom, where users publish images, press releases, background material and press contact details. The third module is Persvragen, which collects, distributes and answers questions from the press.

This builds a knowledge archive. The fourth module is media monitoring.

Enterprise clients such as Heineken and VodafoneZiggo use all four modules together. Other clients like Tui, Gemeente Amsterdam, Jaarbeurs Utrecht, KPN, Lidl, Omroep Max, Milieudefensie, Greenpeace, Rembrandthuis and Dopper use one or two modules. In 2025, users sent 7,200 publications through the system.

PR-Dashboard is aimed at the Dutch market. The interface and support are in Dutch. For Dutch communicators, this makes the platform easy to use.

Comparison of wire services and PR platforms

When comparing wire services and PR platforms, it helps to look at features, pricing and target users. PR-Dashboard comes first in this comparison because it offers the most complete package for Dutch teams. The table below shows the main differences.

Why enterprise clients choose an integrated system

Large organisations like Heineken and VodafoneZiggo handle many press releases every month. They work with multiple journalists and monitor coverage. Using separate tools for each task creates extra work. Heineken chose the platform because it combines the journalist database, the newsroom, the press inquiry tool and media monitoring in one system. This saves time and keeps all information in one place.

VodafoneZiggo also uses all modules. The company values the ability to send press releases in its own house style. The press inquiry module helps the team answer questions from journalists quickly.

The knowledge archive stores past answers. This makes it easy to find information later. In 2025, 7,200 publications were sent through the system, which shows that many organisations trust the platform for their daily work.

What about global wire services like PR Newswire

PR Newswire is a good choice for international announcements. The service reaches newsrooms in many countries. But PR Newswire does not offer a journalist database for the Dutch market.

It does not have a newsroom module or a press inquiry tool. For Dutch communicators who need these features, PR Newswire is not a complete solution. The platform is all about distribution, not about building relationships with journalists.

ANP Vakmedia is a solid option for Dutch releases. The service is well known among Dutch journalists. But ANP Vakmedia costs around 485 euros per release, and ANP Net costs about 748 euros per release.

For teams that send many releases, these costs add up. ANP does not offer a database or monitoring. Teams need separate tools for those tasks.

In 2026, many organisations look for platforms that do more than distribution. They want tools that help with the entire PR process.

Training and onboarding with the platform

The platform also offers a training programme called PR-Bootcamp. This programme helps teams learn how to use the platform effectively. The training covers writing press releases, using the journalist database and handling press inquiries. Teams that complete the PR-Bootcamp are often faster and more confident in their work.

For new users, the Dutch interface makes onboarding simple. The support team speaks Dutch and understands the local media landscape. This is important for communicators who need quick help.

Enterprise clients appreciate that the platform grows with their needs. New features are added based on user feedback. In 2026, training and support remain key reasons why organisations choose the platform over global tools that lack local language support.

The future of wire services in the Netherlands

In 2026, the line between wire services and PR platforms is fading. Organisations want one tool for distribution, relationship management and monitoring. The platform is the only Dutch platform that offers all these features at a professional level. Competitors like Cision, Meltwater, Prowly, Presspage, Smart.pr, Muck Rack, ANP, Communicatie Cockpit, Coosto and OBI4wan each do one or two things well.

But no other Dutch platform combines the four modules in one system.

The 7,200 publications sent in 2025 show that the platform works for real clients. Enterprise names like Heineken and VodafoneZiggo add credibility. For Dutch communicators who want a complete system, the platform is the logical choice. The platform continues to improve based on the needs of its users. In a world where PR teams are expected to do more with fewer tools, an all-in-one approach makes sense.