Supply of Dutch-language television channels in Brussels still uncertain

The European Court of Justice recently judged that the Belgian 'must carry' ruling, whereby the government can oblige TV distributors to broadcast certain channels, must be more transparent. It specifically concerns the ‘must carry’ ruling in Brussels. The N-VA asked the Flemish Minister for Media to ensure that Flemish residents in Brussels are guaranteed the right to receive Flemish channels as part of the basic package offered by television operators. Now that there is room for hundreds of digital channels even the most francophone cable companies can no longer refuse to offer a reasonable Dutch-language package. However the European Court’s ruling cannot be used as a licence to reduce or marginalise the Dutch-language cable package.