Most Eurovision fans agree that Belgium did rather well at the most recent edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. But now that the two weeks of fun have passed, Belgium is already looking forward. VRT have already confirmed participation for Eurovision 2016. But have they perhaps done so a bit too soon? Belgian fans and policitians are now rooting for VRT (the country’s Dutch-language broadcaster) and RTBF (the country’s French-language broadcaster) to join forces for Eurovision 2016 rather than alternating year-by-year as they currently do. And they are rooting loud!
Loic Nottet managed to place second his semi final and fourth in the grand final, giving his countrymen a major boost of national pride. In fact, he came close enough to raise the question that no-one in Belgium has yet to answer: What if RTBF or VRT wins? Who of the two should organise the competition the following year? The winning broadcaster or the broadcaster who’s turn it is next ? (For those not so familair with the Belgian system: RTBF organises in odd years and the VRT in even years). This question was also raised by Flemish politician and Member of Parliament Joris Poschet last week in Flemish newspaper ‘Het Nieuwsblad‘. It’s even possible he will raise the question in the commission of Culture and Media (scheduled for tomorrow 27 May).
Waarom organiseren #VRT en #RTBF voorrondes #Eurovision2015 niet samen? Niks dan voordelen! Nu duimen voor Loïc #BEL pic.twitter.com/inuFsp2gix
— Joris Poschet (@JorisPoschet) May 23, 2015
The main reason he has brought forward this idea is to save money. But we suspect there are other reasons. One of them is having a bigger budget for Eurovision participation, but also the fact that RTBF is known to send better songs, while VRT has the most experience in organising a national selection (Eurosong). The candidates and songs of RTBF, with the Eurosong format of VRT, could lead to even greater success.
One Eurovision Belgium
Apparently some Belgian Eurovision fans fancy the idea as well. Not long after Poschet’s statement, some Belgian fans launched a Facebook group called ‘One Eurovision Belgium‘. The enthusiasts in this group are rooting for unity among the fans and calling on the two broadcasters to join forces. The graphics, posts and comments in this group leave no doubt: They are serious!
It’s not likely that in the near future Belgium’s two broadcasters will work together to send one candidate. But there is hope: Poschet has raised the question in Parliament. It is scheduled to be addressed on Thursday (tomorrow) at 10:00. Fingers crossed for Belgium! After all: the theme of this year was #buildingbridges.
Main graphic: One Eurovision Belgium
What would Eurovision be without Nicole and Hugo’s purple jump suits and Barbara Dex?
Keep going Flanders (and forget about Tom Dice or Copycat)!
I would love the see Witloof Bay again. It was sent in 2011 by RTBF, a group of Flemish people and Walloons mixed together. The song was not that great but the idea was really original. They did it all à capella!!! Bring them back with a really good song and it will stand out for sure!
@Alex: Indeed, Switzerland hasn’t been very successful lately, even though we select the best song in the entire country each year. So imagine how worse the results would have been if we only selected it regionally like Belgium? 😉 My point is that we already are a small country (like Belgium), so it makes sense to browse the entire country (and not just one region each year) to make sure you select the best possible song. The number of artists per broadcaster is proportional to the population of Switzerland, that’s why the Swiss-German SRF sends around 10 artists, the French-speaking… Read more »
I would love that. I’m from Belgium myself and the Flemish broadcaster has made some questionable decisions the last couple of years. Both Iris and Axel Hirsoux were honestly not good while Roberto Bellarossa and Loic Nottet were both quite succesful.
I doubt it will happen, though. The Flemish and Walloons don’t play along very well. I really hope we send another strong contestant in 2016, no matter how.
@Racal: That’s another thing… the Swiss selection hasn’t been very successful, has it? Only two qualifications since 2006… and boy, is it a messy selection. I still don’t get why one station has so many songs in its selection while the other two stations have very few songs, and why they whittle it down to only 6 songs in the national final.
Yea.. pretty sure that is not going to happen soon, seeing that Culture and Media is a regional power first of all. And second, what if someone from Wallonia wins three years in a row? I can hear the Flemish protesting already… But you’re all right, the VRT have sent somt horrendous entries in the past, and let’s try to never let that happen again. I support joined participation, but let’s face it… Bridges take time to build.
“RTBF is known to send better songs, while VRT has the most experience in organising a national selection (Eurosong)”… Well, the Flemish broadcaster may have experience in organizing national selections, but their national finals always end up sending crap songs to Eurovision, so what’s the use? Seems to me they are making lots of efforts for nothing. As for who would organize the contest in case of victory, that already happened: Sandra Kim, who won the 1986 contest, was an act sent by the French-speaking broadcaster RTBF. The 2 broadcasters then tried to organize the 1987 contest in Brussels together,… Read more »
@YoungsterJoey, it’s Russia-1 (2008) to Channel 1 (2009) to Russia-1 (2010) to Channel 1 (2011) to Russia-1 (2012) to Channel 1 (2013) to Russia-1 (2014) to Channel 1 (2015) to Russia-1 (2016).
I mean, the broadcaster from this year seems to make better choices… at least since 2013 they have. And the 2014 selection was such a disaster – we heard about it from the Belgian fans pretty loudly. (Something about the acts not being allowed to select their own songs…) I feel like the other broadcaster might cancel out the smart choices. Perhaps it’s just better to keep them separate.
Orrrrr just get Loic back again <3
Well, how does Russia do it? Don’t they also alternate channels on odd and even years and but I don’t remember how 2009 was organized, if the 2008-broadcaster had a say since it won that year or if the 2009-broadcaster had the full say since it was their year.
I actually never even knew that their broadcasters alternate every year, that actually explains alot when it comes to Belgium at Eurovision.
2011 – Good
2012 – Bad
2013 – Good
2014 – Terrible
2015 – Brilliant
2016 – ? (doesn’t look good)
Maybe they should join forces next year to avoid disappointment.
Nevermind I heard it on Youtube. It sounds very tropical.
That could be a good idea. That will make their reputation better.
Albania has actually chosen their junior eurovision act, but I can’t find it anywhere. where can I find it?
To add: maybe you should start out with having one “The Voice of Belgium” , instead of the two versions you have now.
That would be great, but also a difficult process to go through at first. Mergers are never fun. But why not? But it has to be integrated all the way though for this to really have benefits. No hard feelings if there is a streak of candidates from either Flanders or Wallonia for years in a row. Simply pick the best candidate as a country, no matter what language he/she speaks at home.
I am from Belgium and it’s true: we are one in football, Miss Belgium is in Dutch and in French,… But we are not one in eurovision while we are named ‘Belgium’ ! The VRT doesn’t know how to do well at eurovision (only in 2010) and RTBF is now into eurovision. I think with their both experience they could create something. At the other hand, VRT and RTBF don’t do anything together so this will be hard… let’s hope for the best !
Well why not…
I didn’t even know that Belgium had two different broadcasters anyway..
*We Are One* like the GreAtY motto of the Butterfly Vision of Malmo.. <3 🙂
Belgium is statying without victory for 29 years now…The same years with my actual age as i was born the same year that Belgium won <3
Its definitely from the front runner countries that are expected to win in our Vision very soon 🙂
Hmmmm…
Seems a good idea, i liked their song this year!
Success from greece!