Press Release: State aid: Commission requests Belgium to clarify financing of public service broadcaster VRT

The European Commission has requested clarifications from Belgium concerning the public service mission and the financing of VRT, the public service broadcaster in the Flemish community of Belgium. Having examined allegations from several complainants, the Commission’s preliminary view is that the current financing system is no longer in line with EC Treaty state aid rules requiring Member States not to grant subsidies liable to distort competition (Article 87). The Belgian authorities now have the opportunity to submit their comments and to propose changes to the funding system.