Belgian broadcasters VRT and RTBF have said they are “questioning” their participation in next year’s Eurovision. It comes amid the ongoing controversy regarding Israel’s inclusion within the Contest.
Belgian channels call for transparency
In the wake of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, several broadcasters have spoken out regarding Israel’s second place finish in Basel. Amid allegations of voter manipulation, a number of broadcasters called on the EBU to discuss Israel’s participation in the Contest.
Flemish broadcaster was the first Belgian station to call on the EBU to review its policies and demand transparency on the matter. Yasmine Van der Borght, a VRT spokesperson, said that while VRT trusts the EBU to have fairly reviewed the results, further clarity needs to be made. In a statement, VRT said:
We at VRT have noticed that the Eurovision Song Contest as it is currently organised is becoming less and less of a unifying and apolitical event. It is increasingly at odds with the original norms and values of the event and with the norms and values of public broadcasting.
VRT works well with the EBU on many levels, but without a serious response to our concerns regarding the Eurovision Song Contest, we are questioning our future participation.
Less than 700,000 people watched the final on VRT, reaching its lowest viewing figure in years. In recent years, interest peaked at 1.6 million viewers when Gustaph qualified for the final in 2023.
However, VRT is unable to decide on the potential of a Belgian withdrawal for 2026 due to the system Belgium uses with its broadcasters. Flemish and Wallonian broadcasters alternate participation, meaning RTBF will be in charge of deciding a Belgian act for 2026.
RTBF has now echoed calls for transparency from VRT. However, the broadcaster was more hesitant with questioning outright withdrawal. In a separate statement, the French-language broadcaster said:
Faced with the ongoing debates regarding the voting system, RTBF supports the need to ensure the highest levels of transparency. We are available to work and, if necessary, to adapt to improvements and adaptations to the competition’s terms and conditions.
RTBF also reiterates its commitment within the EBU to defending the editorial independence of its members and the safety of journalists and public service media in general.
A number of other EBU members have called on organisers to have a wider discussion surrounding Israeli participation in the Contest. Eurovision Director Martin Green said the EBU was “taking their concerns seriously” and committed to a “broad discussion” on Israel’s future in Eurovision.
Belgium’s Eurovision journey
Belgium was one of the debutant countries at the beginning of the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1956. For the first edition, countries could submit two songs, and for Belgium that year, ‘Messieurs les noyès de la Seine’ by Fud Leclerc and ‘Le plus beau jour de ma vie’ by Mony Marc represented the nation. To this day we do not know the final results of Eurovision 1956. Belgium have taken part in 64 Eurovision Song Contests; however, they have only ever won once: in 1986 with Sandra Kim and the song ‘J’amie la vie’, scoring 176 points.
Belgium chose Red Sebastian to represent the nation with “Strobe Lights” in 2025. Competing in the first semi-final, Belgium scored 23 points, placing fourteenth and ultimately missing out on the Grand Final for the second year in a row.
What do you think of the Belgian broadcasters questioning their participation for 2026? Should Belgium withdraw amid the controversy? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!
News Source: VRT / RTBF
Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming / Sarah Louise Bennett / Alma Bengtsson / EBU
Thomas James