25/09/2006

Today marks the first day of programming by the latest addition to the Belgian audiovisual landscape, ARTE Belgique.

The Belgian deal by the Franco-German channel was officially signed a week ago by the Minister of Culture Fadila Laanan and Jean-Paul Philippot, administrator of RTBF (Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française).

Under discussion for several months, finally signed by the RTBF administrative council last July and allocated an annual budget of €2.6m by the French Community, ARTE Belgique will be broadcast over public television and will include a series of cultural programmes specially produced by RTBF and broadcast in French-speaking Belgium and in Brussels, where the European vocation of the Franco-German channel (see interview with Michel Reilhac) continues to gain ground.

But this ray of sunshine is overshadowed by a stormy start to the autumn season for broadcasters. RTBF’s decision to ratify its new objectives and renew its management contract for 2007-2011 with the French Community of Belgium has been met with a widespread outcry. After the anger of private radio stations, who saw the move as a takeover bid on analogue and digital frequencies, petitions were drawn up by film professionals deploring the paltry external investment in production and a highly controversial clause (the priority required by cultural partners receiving subventions by the French Community).

The Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (Superior Audiovisual Council) has also expressed its opinion on this management contract, which, according to them, is contrary to the objectives of public service and European legislation (especially in terms of competition and advertising). But according to recent speeches by the Minister, this contract is not yet definitive and several changes may yet be made.

In Flemish broadcasting circles, following equally eventful negotiations concerning the renewal of Dutch-speaking channel VRT - Vlaamse Radio Televisie’s management contract, another debate has been causing outrage since early September. The dispute – a clash between VRT CEO Tony Mary and Flemish Minister Geert Bourgeois – has led to Mary’s being dismissed and replaced by Piet Van Roe, the former director of Flemish public radio and television channels.

The straw that broke the camel’s back was a move "contrary to public service", according to Bourgeois, to give priority to the broadcasting of episodes of a very popular Flemish series on Belgacom TV’s digital channel.

(Translated from French)