BYE BYE BIG TECH

Media man Yves Gijrath and entrepreneur Erik de Vlieger will launch their own podcast platformFriday, March 26, 2021.

''This also makes it the first paid podcast community in the Netherlands.''

By now, more than half of the Netherlands listens to podcasts. More and more podcast creators are testing bonus content for a fee, but not one platform took the pioneering step of putting all podcasts into a membership.

Yves Gijrath and business friend Erik de Vlieger are making a bold pioneering move with the launch of their new movement THE CAPTAIN LINE; the podcast platform for listeners looking for a different sound, making content and findability no longer dependent on big tech giants such as Youtube, Spotify, I-Tunes or Soundcloud.

THE CAPTAIN LINE: pioneering move and new podcast experience in the Netherlands

In the weekly podcast show The GYGS, which Gijrath & De Vlieger started in September 2020, they discuss the news of the week. As if you were secretly listening in on their most confidential phone conversations. Nothing is left unsaid: they marvel at the news, politics and analyze the role of the media. They are obsessed with anything newsworthy and denounce any form of politically correct behavior. After a good hour of Gijrath & De Vlieger, you'll have the necessary convictions for social media or the kitchen table again. Whatever happens, "tomorrow is a new day," according to the gentlemen.

"For our findings, we draw on our extensive rolodex of contacts and a growing network of passionate citizen journalists"

The oft-listened-to podcast "1-2 with Yves" currently attracts an average of 400,000 listeners per month. As of Friday, March 26, the series has a new "home," or rather a new "ship. WWW.DEKAPITEINENLIJN.NL.

Gijrath: ''THE CAPITAL LINE is a new movement. ''Think of us as the Dutch Bellingcat.'' In recent months, Erik and I have made one revelation after another. For our findings we use our extensive rolodex of contacts and a growing network of passionate citizen journalists.'' De Vlieger: "During corona, Yves and I fell from one surprise to another. At one point we said to each other: shall we just let people listen in on our thoughts and what we discuss with each other?' This thought turned into a decisive platform with a loud and clear sound. Gijrath: "We agreed that we would talk without a filter. Our experience was always that the best conversations on TV shows took place before the show and after the show.

''Think of us as the Dutch Bellingcat''

We had no doubt, this is what we wanted. No fear of making mistakes either. Just doing it. Our opinions are our opinions and facts are facts. That's our guideline. This led to regular listener Thomas Acda agreeing to create a unique song about the podcast. Gijrath: "It's pretty unusual what we do. We address the media in their way of reporting and reporting. Of course we're proud of all the great newspapers and programs we have, but during corona there's a kind of tipping point that we don't like.' De Vlieger: "We dig around for news and know no filter. Our work has resulted in a database of scoops. Whether it was Ab Osterhaus' earning of 5.6 million euros in shares at the time of the last health crisis or the possible funding of Forum for Democracy at the U.S. Embassy.' Gijrath: "We were also concerned with the course of events surrounding Recovery-NL with the departure of Barbara Baarsma. We have come to the conclusion that politics has unfortunately interfered with the plans of Recovery-NL. Still Baarsma has made no personal response to the suggestion of political pressure. A godsend! Gijrath & De Vlieger share their personal experiences and also do not hesitate to deposit firm predictions.

A sampling of some of the revelations and predictions from the podcasts:

- Jaap van Dissel secures 6 million euros.
- Ab Osterhaus earns 5.6 million euros with sale of vaccine manufacturer shares. After long pushing and pulling, Osterhaus confirms.
- Omtzigt is gagged by Rutte regarding Demmink. Omtzigt has so far not responded to numerous requests from De Vlieger to confirm.
- Henk Bleker supports Baudet and joins FvD.
- Jort Kelder: 'I could have been more empathetic.'
- Louis van Gaal: 'Edwards was the evil genius at Manchester United.'
- Bitcoin is going to hit at least 40k by 2021, Gijrath predicted in December, when bitcoin was still around 20k.
- Dreetje Hazes and Monique break up in 2021.
- Nouri family willing to settle with Ajax for 10-15 million.
- Things get back on track between Marco & Leontien.De Vlieger: 'I have been active as an entrepreneur for forty years now. Never before have I received so many reactions to what I do with Yves. The comparisons are not out of the blue: Grijpstra & De Gier, Waldorf & Statler, Derksen & Genee, Van Kooten & De Bie, Q&Q, Tintin & Captain Haddock and Barend & Van Dorp. Nice of course all those comparisons, but we are just Gijrath & De Vlieger and that chemistry cannot be explained, it is unique. It all happens spontaneously and that sound has led to an unprecedented loyal group of more than 100,000 regular followers per week.'

In addition to the high-profile series The GYGS, Gijrath also engages in weekly conversations with prominent entrepreneurs and policymakers in the series "Standouts. The chiefs, the bosses, the chief gods, the rock stars and the leaders of businesses and movements. Gijrath seeks interpretation, depth and leadership in his podcast series.

The listener gets a surprising inside look at many prominent figures. The guest list excels in diversity, but all the guests have one thing in common: they excel in their field. For example, the media entrepreneur had stimulating and inspiring conversations with, among others, Jumbo CEO Frits van Eerd, professor Diederik Gommers, influencer Kaj Gorgels, Quote editor-in-chief Paul van Riessen, Albert Verlinde, author Mark Koster, founder of Young Capital Hugo de Koning and hospitality tycoon Won Yip.

"With an average of 400 thousand listeners per month on tap, the '1-2-tjes met Yves' are an established name in the podcast world."

Gijrath: "2020 was a tumultuous year. The year I started the podcast series "Entrepreneurship in times of corona" and "Excellencies. It was a hit. Whether it was the interview with Louis van Gaal that went viral or the personal outpourings of Jan des Bouvrie. My guests feel free to say more than in regular interviews. In addition, podcasts lend themselves perfectly to depth, because there is no time clock. The show with Erik has become the icing on the cake. We sat together all week brainstorming how we could disconnect our movement from the existing podcast platforms. Then you are a number in line anyway and they determine when and how often you are interrupted by advertising. I said to Erik: bye bye BIG TECH, we're going to do it ourselves. All or nothing. De Vlieger: 'I was immediately enthusiastic, together we have about eighty years of experience. If we go all-in for once and leave nothing unsaid, it might become a hit.' After a first successful paid test in February of this year with a special on The Great Reset, the new movement is a reality. Gijrath: "We also see opportunities for a future talk show on television, our own Token and an online opinion panel. This year, the podcast success continues and the podcast platform THE CAPTAIN LINE already guarantees a hefty dose of unsalted opinions, visions and thoughts. Podcast creator Yves Gijrath and his companion Erik de Vlieger do not shy away from topics and with their motto "Never follow the crowd," every Friday at 5 p.m. it's a matter of waiting to see what the gentlemen will come up with.

Those who want to be part of the growing movement of dissenters and listen to the popular podcasts can register as a "captain" starting Friday, March 26, 2021. The paid membership gives you access to the weekly, new episodes of The GYGS with Gijrath & de Vlieger, the archive with over 125 special guests and the conversations with the "Standouts" of the week. Binge listening is also possible: the entire podcast library of the "1-2's with Yves" are accessible to captains. Gijrath: "Members will also have access to the CAPITAN FESTIVAL: BON DIA CAPITAO in June 2022. We will host a live version of the podcast. A festival with music, food and unique content.' De Vlieger: "We have high hopes for our initiative. Our movement is in great need of a different sound.' Gijrath: 'We are going to be the first to show that member-based podcast communities are the future.'

The Captain's Line - Listen in, straight to the point.

For press inquiries: leonie.kragt@mastershq.nl.