RTL 4 began life as RTL Veronique back in 1989 as the first commercial station after private commercial tv was permitted in 1988. They broadcasted from Luxembourg, as a a non-Dutch broadcaster, as it was not allowed from the Netherlands until 1992. Why 4 ? Because it was the first commercial channel launched, and 1-2-3 were in use by the public broadcasters.

In late 1990 RTL Veronique was rebranded as RTL4.