TV Systems, Stations and Cable TV in Belgium

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TV Systems, Stations and Cable TV in Belgium

The transmission standard in Belgium is PAL. There are three main television/video standards in use throughout the world.

• NTSC: used in the USA, Canada, Japan and some other countries
• PAL: used in most of Western Europe, Australasia and South Africa
• SECAM: used in France and Eastern Europe

The three systems are not compatible with each other. It is not possible to watch television on a NTSC or SECAM appliance, or to use DVD or video players which are configured for these systems. Multi-standard TV, DVD or video equipment will be able to play a PAL (or NTSC) camcorder, DVD player or games console.

Belgian Television

In order to reflect the unique linguistic and political nature of the country, Belgium has two separate broadcasting organisations. They are self-regulating and are concerned with TV, radio and external broadcasting. Belgium has around 95 percent cable users - one of the highest rates in the world. Both Dutch and French stations are represented, as well as dozens of domestic and foreign channels.

• RTBF (French language)
  Tel: 02 737 27 76
• VRT (Dutch language)
  At: Auguste Reyerslaan 52, 1043 Brussels
  Tel: 02 741 31 11

TV Licences

TV licences have been abolished in the Flemish speaking region of Belgium and in the region of Brussels. 

TV and car licences in Wallonia

In Wallonia the television licence fee is charged per household, regardless of how many TV sets there are. 

Worth noting is that each car with a radio must have a separate car radio licence. It is necessary to carry proof of payment of the car radio licence when driving. If a new car is bought with a fitted radio, the dealer will provide a registration form to fill in. 

When buying a television or a car radio for the first time it is necessary to inform the Walloon Television and Radio Licence Service (Service Radio-Télévision Redevances de la Région Wallonne) in writing within 30 days.

• Service Radio-Télévision Redevances de la Région Wallonne
  At: Avenue Gouverneur Bovesse 29, 5100 Namur
  Tel: 08 133 02 11
  Fax: 08 133 02 01

The bill will then be sent annually. For people whose surname begins with a letter between A and J the licence fee must be paid in April, those with surnames starting K to Z must pay in October. People with certain disabilities are exempt from paying the television licence fee. 

Notify the Television and Radio Licence Service within 15 days when changing address.

Cable Television in Belgium

Cable TV is widely available in Belgium and is used by over 90 percent of Belgian households.

All foreign TV programmes and films featured on cable and domestic channels are screened in their original language with French or Dutch subtitles.

Cable companies

• Tele Bruxelles (French language)
  Tel: 02 421 21 21
  Website 
• VTM (Dutch language)
  At: Medialaan 1, 1800 Vilvoorde
  Tel: 02 255 32 11
  e-mail 
  Website 
• Telenet
  At: Liersesteen Weg 4, 2800 Malines
  Tel: 01 533 30 00
  Website
• BeTV
  At: Ch. De Louvain 656, 1030 Brussels
  Tel: 0435 11 59 67
  Website

It is possible to choose from a variety of packages, offering sport, music, documentaries and news, children's programmes and films.

How to get Cable TV

Cable TV subscriptions can be obtained either by telephoning one of the cable companies and requesting a subscription form, or via the company websites, where it is possible to fill out an online form. Once this has been completed and sent, the cable company will arrange delivery of a decoder, and then activate the subscription once the first payment has cleared. Payment is usually made by bank transfer or direct debit.

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Electricity & Home Appliances
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Telephones & Internet in Belgium