This morning Flemish Parliamant member Joris Poschet raised the question of VRT (Belgium’s Dutch-language broadcaster) joining forces with RTBF (Belgium’s French-language broadcaster) for future editions of the Eurovision Song Contest. In his mind, it makes sense for the broadcasters to select a candidate together and to organise the contest jointly in the event Belgium wins. He adressed his question to the Flemish Minister of Culture, Media, Youth and Brussels Sven Gatz. (Read more about the issue here). For those hoping for a united approach to Eurovision, the outcome today was rather disappointing. Afterwards Poschet tweeted that Minister Gatz “sees no efficiency gain in the idea”.
Gatz: "geen efficiëntiewinsten bij #eurovision samenwerking @VRT – @RTBF"
Krachtige argumenten om het níet te doen, hoorde ik niet.. 1/2— Joris Poschet (@JorisPoschet) May 28, 2015
Belgen 3de beste voorspellers overwinnaars, waarom dan niet inzending laten kiezen door alle Belgen, niet enkel of FR of NL? #eurovision 2/2
— Joris Poschet (@JorisPoschet) May 28, 2015
Gatz and others in the Commission pointed out several limiting factors to the proposed union: the big cultural differences between the two broadcasters and their audiences, the fact that RTBF has done way better than VRT at Eurovision, and the language differences and political sensitivities. Gatz would prefer to put more effort into improving the quality of the candidates and songs from VRT. You can read the full report of the Comission of Culture, Youth, Sport and Media here.
For Belgian fans — most especially those who are part of the One Belgium Eurovision campaign — the result is disappointing. But the fact the topic has been brought into the open perhaps opens the doors for the future. And we are pretty sure these Belgian fans will keep trying…
Belgium has proven in the ’87 that it can put together a decent festival, organised by RTBF with a VRT entry. So we can compromise 😉
As both TV stations are run by different communities, I’m quite sure there won’t be any collaboration. The present flemish government has the nationalists in it, no way they’ll even consider it, let alone talk about it. They prefer something bad but flemish than nothing at all ;-).
Again, I’d much rather have a great entry out of Belgium every two years rather than a mediocre entry from Belgium every year due to some failed collaboration between the two stations.
Isn’t “L’union fait la force” (Strength through Unity) the motto of Belgium? 😉
It seems to work for Russia to have 2 broadcasters.
You would think it would allow for Belgium to do really well with each broadcaster trying to outdo each other with their entries.
I think Belgium should do what Switzerland does and maybe have the two broadcaster submit an equal amount of entries to be put forward to a public vote.
Wait. They have a Media Minister ? WOW
I see his point.
They’ll be too busy setting up their partnership than actually picking a Eurovision song. They’d probably had to take off for a year just to get it started.
What has the other station said?
Joining VRT and RTBF for the selection would be great in my opinion. With Loïc being chosen by RTBF (Wallonia), almost all Flemish people didn’t know it was Eurovision last week. It barely came in the Flemish media. Okay, on saturday and sunday when we came fourth, it came in the papers but their wasn’t much attention for it. Really a shame!!! Probably the reason for the split is money. When they chose together and win together, they have to host together. And then there would be problems like where we gonna host it, how much money each part has… Read more »
I feel so bad for Belgium all the time. When they send a good song, it’s a good song! But when they send a bad song…oof. For a country to have success, they need consistent results to build on. It’s hard to build on anything when you’re only sending a good entry every other year. I think the rotating back and forth is certainly part of the problem–when you’r only putting on a national final every two years, it’s hard to build a consistent format that is successful in picking a good song AND attracting decent artists. Though, the 2014… Read more »
If anything, I think other multi-cultural countries should follow suit (in this case, I’m only referring to Switzerland, maybe Cyprus or the UK or historically, Serbia-Montenegro or Yugoslavia). Prior to the free language rule (in 1999) most of Switzerland’s entries were in French (coming from Francophone Switzerland) with only 1 entry being in Romansh (a minority but official language). There’s a disparity among how often the regions of Switzerland (based on majority language) have been represented.
Belgium hosting has worked out before without problems. In 1987, RTBF hosted but VRT picked the song. Quite simple.
Really big deal that the hot belgian hunk Loic gathered almost the same points with last year’s Sanna Nielsen that was the big pre contest hot favorite to win in Copenhagen..
But to be honest,his song is way more similar with *Royals* of Lorde than the winner song *Heroes* by Mans is with ** (Summer) Lovers In The Sun **..
Personally i do not think at all that its truly a case of plagiarism with Sweden’s song..
**** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbPNlrLq7gM <3 <3 ****
As long as the VRT finally picks a worthy contestant that brings something cool to the table I’m fine. Of course I would prefer if the Flemish and Walloons would get along for once. I must say I’m happy they’re already talking about Eurovision this soon after the previous contest has ended. Means they might make an extra effort to bring Eurovision to Belgium in 2017.
I just hope the VRT will contact contestants of the Voice van Vlaanderen. It worked in Wallonia .. Maybe the RTBF will share their experience with the VRT ? I just hope for a good result in 2016
Kindest regards from Belgium, Flanders 🙂
Belgium really came much closer to the victory this year in Vienna! 🙂 217 gathered points is rather impresive score! Especially 4 a not active country like Belgium! 🙂 Belgium would be the real clear winner of the Vision of 2003 IF the points were counted like 9-10 instead of 10-12… Urban Trad had won in reality with just single one point ahead of Sertab! 🙂 Belgium legalized gay marriages that year <3 🙂 Was just the 2nd country in the world 4 that! Belgium elected the first openly gay prime minister in the world back in 2011.. <3 🙂… Read more »