in 2001, he became the editor-in-chief of at5, the local television channel of amsterdam. however, in 2002, he transferred to national television when he became the net coordinator of the dutch public channel nederland 3. out of frustration with the inner workings of the dutch public broadcasting system (which stood in the way of the changes he envisioned), van nieuwkerk quit his job. after six months, he started working in front of the cameras. ahead of the 2003 elections, he presented the political programme "nederland kiest" with felix rottenberg. the duo started presenting nova, a dutch programme about politics, but they both quit after a conflict with the editorial staff.