Editing RTBF

{{Short description|Belgium's French-language public broadcaster}}
{{Hatnote|RTBF redirects here. For the law with the same acronym, read [[right to be forgotten]].}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox broadcasting network
|network_name = {{lang|fr|Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française|i=no}}
|network_logo = File:RTBF.be.svg
|country      = [[Belgium]]
|headquarters = {{Ill|Reyers Tower|fr|Tour Reyers}}, [[Schaerbeek]], [[Brussels-Capital Region]]
|network_type = [[Terrestrial television|Broadcast]] radio, television and online
|owner        = [[French Community of Belgium]]
|launch_date  = {{Plainlist}}
* {{start date and age|1930}} (radio)
* {{start date and age|1953}} (television)
{{Endplainlist}}
|founder      = 
|slogan       = 
|motto        = 
|past_names   = {{Plainlist}}
* INR (1930–60)
* RTB (1960–77)
{{Endplainlist}}
|website      = {{Official website}}
}}
The {{lang|fr|'''Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française'''|i=no}} ("Belgian Radio-television  of the French Community"), shortened to '''RTBF''' (branded as '''rtbf.be'''), is a [[public broadcasting|public service broadcaster]] for the [[French Community of Belgium|French-speaking Community of Belgium]]. Its counterpart in the [[Flemish Community]] is the Dutch-language [[VRT (broadcaster)|VRT]] ({{lang|nl-BE|Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie|i=no}}), and in the [[German-speaking Community of Belgium|German-speaking Community]] it is [[Belgischer Rundfunk|BRF]] ({{lang|de-BE|Belgischer Rundfunk|i=no}}).

The RTBF operates five television channels ({{lang|fr|[[La Une]]|i=no}}, {{lang|fr|[[Tipik (TV channel)|Tipik]]|i=no}}, {{lang|fr|[[La Trois]]|i=no}}, {{lang|fr|Arte Belgique|i=no}} and {{lang|fr|TipikVision|i=no}}) together with a number of radio channels, including {{lang|fr|[[La Première (Belgium)|La Première]]|i=no}}, {{lang|fr|RTBF Mix|i=no}}, {{lang|fr|[[VivaCité]]|i=no}}, {{lang|fr|[[Musiq'3]]|i=no}}, {{lang|fr|[[Classic 21]]|i=no}}, and {{lang|fr|Tipik|i=no}}.

The organisation's headquarters in [[Brussels]], which is shared with [[VRT (broadcaster)|VRT]], is sometimes referred to colloquially as ''Reyers''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/la-rtbf-organise-un-examen-de-recrutement-de-journalistes-6910783|title=La RTBF organise un examen de recrutement de journalistes|website=RTBF|accessdate=13 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lalibre.be/culture/medias-tele/2004/09/01/la-rtbf-passe-a-loffensive-politique-contre-le-projet-bruxellois-x-2-ENHZKX3SINA3DP2AZFSSZWL5ZY/|title=La RTBF passe à l'offensive politique contre le projet bruxellois X 2|first=Pierre-François|last=Lovens|website=La Libre.be|accessdate=13 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lalibre.be/culture/medias-tele/2004/09/25/bxl-rtl-met-la-rtbf-en-garde-KRETNDZBA5HAHCJLNBMRHQIZ2A/|title="BXL" : RTL met la RTBF en garde|first=Pierre-François|last=Lovens|website=La Libre.be|accessdate=13 April 2022}}</ref> This comes from the name of the avenue where the RTBF/VRT's main building is located, the {{lang|fr|Boulevard Auguste Reyers|i=no}}/{{lang|nl|Auguste Reyerslaan|i=no}}.

== History ==
{{see also|VRT (broadcaster)#History}}
[[Image:Tour-RTBF Luc Viatour (cropped).JPG|thumb|right|The communications tower at the RTBF's headquarters in [[Brussels]]]]
The [[National Institute of Radio Broadcasting]] ({{langx|fr|INR, Institut national belge de radiodiffusion}}; {{langx|nl|NIR, Belgisch Nationaal Instituut voor de Radio-omroep}}), the state-owned broadcasting organisation was established by law on 18 June 1930,{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} and from 1938 was housed in the [[Flagey Building]], also known as the ''Radio House'', a purpose-built building in the [[paquebot style|"paquebot" style]] of [[Art Deco]] architecture.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 July 2012 |title=Le Flagey, the former Maison de la Radio |website=Brussels Life |url=https://www.brusselslife.be/en/article/le-flagey-the-former-maison-de-la-radio |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Flagey Building |website=Flagey |url=https://www.flagey.be/en/page/3718-the-flagey-building |access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>

On 14 June 1940, the INR was forced to cease broadcasting as a result of the German invasion. The German occupying forces, who now oversaw its management, changed the INR's name to ''{{lang|fr|Radio Bruxelles}}''. A number of INR personnel were able to relocate to the [[BBC]]'s studios in London from where they broadcast as ''{{lang|fr|Radio Belgique}} / {{lang|nl|Radio België}}'' under the ''{{lang|fr|Office de Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge}}'' (RNB) established by the [[Belgian government in exile]]'s Ministry of Information.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

At the end of [[World War II|the war]] the INR and the RNB coexisted until 14 September 1945, when a Royal Decree merged the two and restored the INR's original mission. The INR was one of 23 broadcasting organisations that founded the [[European Broadcasting Union]] in 1950. Television broadcasting from Brussels began in 1953, with two hours of programming each day. Split along linguistic lines in 1960, the INR's French-language programming became RTB (''{{lang|fr|Radio-Télévision Belge, Emissions françaises}}'') and moved to new quarters at the Reyers building in 1967. The RTB's first broadcast in colour, ''{{lang|fr|Le Jardin Extraordinaire}}'' (a gardening and nature programme), was transmitted in 1971. Two years later, the RTB began broadcasting [[news program|news]] in colour.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

In 1977, broadcasting became a concern for Belgium's [[Communities, regions and language areas of Belgium|language communities]], rather than the national government as a whole. Accordingly, the French-language section of the RTB became the RTBF (''{{lang|fr|Radio-Télévision Belge de la Communauté française}}'') and a second television channel was set up with the name {{lang|fr|RTbis}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtbf.be/entreprise/article_1977-la-rtb-devient-rtbf?id=3568|title=1977 : La RTB devient RTBF|first=RTBF Boulevard Auguste Reyers 52 1044|last=Schaerbeek 02/737 21 11|website=RTBF Entreprises|accessdate=13 April 2022}}</ref>  In 1979 {{lang|fr|RTbis}} became {{lang|fr|Télé 2}}.<ref name="Télé 21">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtbf.be/entreprise/article_1988-naissance-de-tele-21?id=3570|title=1988 : Naissance de Télé 21|first=RTBF Boulevard Auguste Reyers 52 1044|last=Schaerbeek 02/737 21 11|website=RTBF Entreprises|accessdate=13 April 2022}}</ref> Along with French channels {{lang|fr|[[TF1]]}}, {{lang|fr|[[France 2|Antenne 2]]}}, {{lang|fr|[[France 3|FR3]]}} and Swiss channel [[Télévision Suisse Romande|TSR]], the RTBF jointly established the European French-speaking channel {{lang|fr|[[TV5Monde|TV5]]}} in 1984. On 21 March 1988, {{lang|fr|Télé 2}} became {{lang|fr|Télé 21}}.<ref name="Télé 21" /> On 27 September 1989 a joint-venture company of the RTBF and [[Vivendi]] was set up with the name {{lang|fr|Canal Plus TVCF}}, which subsequently became ''{{lang|fr|Canal Plus Belgique}}'' in May 1995. In 1993, {{lang|fr|Télé 21}} was replaced by {{lang|fr|Arte/21}} and {{lang|fr|Sports 21}}.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

In mid-January 2010, the RTBF adopted the new branding of RTBF.be in its main logo.<ref>[http://www.lalibre.be/culture/medias-tele/la-rtbf-devient-rtbf-be-des-ce-mercredi-51b8b580e4b0de6db9b9bab0 La RTBF devient RTBF.BE dès ce mercredi], ''[[La Libre Belgique]]'', 12 January 2010</ref> The change was made because of the growing importance of new media; the ".be" suffix stressed those new developments.

On 11 June 2013, the RTBF was one of the few European public broadcasters to join in condemning the closure of [[Greece]]'s public broadcaster, [[Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation|ERT]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

By 2011, the analogue systems for RTBF.be were planned to be phased out for [[Wallonia]].

===''Bye Bye Belgium''===
{{wikinews|Fictional documentary about Flemish independence causes consternation in Belgium}}
{{Main article|Flemish Secession hoax}}
On 13 December 2006, at 20:21 [[Central European Time|CET]] (19:21 [[UTC]]), the RTBF replaced an edition of its regular current affairs programme ''{{lang|fr|Questions à la Une}}'' with a [[Flemish Secession hoax|fake special news report]] in which it was claimed that [[Flanders]] had proclaimed independence, effectively dissolving the Belgian state. The programme had been preceded by a caption reading "This may not be fiction", which was repeated intermittently as a subtitle to the images on the screen. After the first half-hour of the 90-minute broadcast, however – by which point RTBF.be's response line had been flooded with calls – this was replaced with a caption reading "This is fiction".

The video featured images of news reporters standing in front of the [[Flemish Parliament]], while Flemish separatists waved the [[flag of Flanders]] behind them. Off to the side, Francophone and Belgian nationalists were waving Belgian flags. The report also featured footage of [[Albert II of Belgium|King Albert]] and [[Queen Paola]] getting on a military jet to [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]], a former Belgian colony.

The RTBF justified the hoax on the grounds that it raised the issue of [[Flemish nationalism]], but others felt that it raised the issue of how much the public can trust the press.

===Controversies===
In September 2024, [[French Community of Belgium]] Minister of Media [[Jacqueline Galant]] criticized RTBF for airing a segment titled "How to be less racist?", which in her opinion was biased and lacked pluralism. Galant was in turn criticized by the [[European Federation of Journalists]] for alleged editorial interference.<ref name="x308">{{cite web | title= Tweets sur la RTBF: Jacqueline Galant sort du silence | website=7sur7 | url=https://www.7sur7.be/belgique/tweets-sur-la-rtbf-jacqueline-galant-sort-du-silence~a5c65eb1/ | language=fr | access-date=2025-02-17}}</ref><ref name="v640">{{cite web | title=Public Broadcaster RTBF Subjected to Ministerial Interference | website=European Federation of Journalists | url=https://fom.coe.int/en/alerte/detail/107641508 | access-date=2025-02-17}}</ref>

RTBF notably caused controversy in January 2025 by delaying the broadcast of [[Donald Trump]]'s [[Second inauguration of Donald Trump|second inaugural speech]] by two minutes, in order to prevent the live broadcast of statements inciting hatred. The decision was condemned as [[censorship]] by [[Reformist Movement]] party leader [[Georges-Louis Bouchez]] and prompted an investigation from Galant.<ref name="g832">{{cite web | last=Santos | first=Gauvain Dos | title= Georges-Louis Bouchez très critique envers la RTBF suite à l'investiture de Trump : "Des petits chefs de la pensée" | website=La Libre.be | date=2025-01-21 | url=https://www.lalibre.be/belgique/politique-belge/2025/01/21/georges-louis-bouchez-tres-critique-envers-la-rtbf-suite-a-linvestiture-de-trump-des-petits-chefs-de-la-pensee-KD7XE7ULLJHTVHSKTHO7H7PMHQ/ | language=fr | access-date=2025-02-17}}</ref><ref name="f514">{{cite web | last=Belga | first=Belga | title= Diffusion de l'investiture de Trump: la ministre Galant attend des explications de la RTBF | website=La Libre.be | date=2025-01-22 | url=https://www.lalibre.be/belgique/politique-belge/2025/01/22/diffusion-de-linvestiture-de-trump-la-ministre-galant-attend-des-explications-de-la-rtbf-2QAQEIBGIRG5VNAGBEVS5LBVG4/ | language=fr | access-date=2025-02-17}}</ref><ref name="p255">{{cite web | last=Mokrani | first=Farah | title=Belgian TV delays Trump speech | website=Euro Weekly News | date=2025-01-24 | url=https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/01/24/belgian-broadcaster-sparks-debate-by-delaying-trumps-speech/ | access-date=2025-02-17}}</ref>

==Logo history==
<gallery>
RTBF 1984.svg|RTBF's third logo from late 1982<ref>{{YouTube|sz14H2u0BF8|1983 Liege Bastogne Liege}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://videoartfestival.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VAF_1982_19821012_Stephane_Bianda_RTBF_Liege_Masi_pdf_preview.jpg |title=Stephane Bianda RTBF Liege Masi}}</ref>–1994
RTBF 1991.svg|RTBF's fourth logo from 1994<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.lesoir.be/art/la-farceuse-affaire-du-logo-est-classee_t-19970828-Z0E4LF.html|title=La farceuse affaire du logo est classée|last=Simon|first=Christine|date=28 August 1997|publisher=[[Le Soir]]}}</ref>–1997
RTBF logo old.svg|RTBF's fifth logo from 1997–2005
RTBF logo.png|RTBF's sixth and previous logo from 2005–2010.
</gallery>

==Television channels==
Television channels are transmitted: 
* On [[Hotbird]] [[satellite]] on {{lang|fr|TéléSAT}}, an encrypted pay satellite service.
* On cable: analogue and digital on all Belgian cable providers, as well as on cable in [[Luxembourg]];<ref>[http://www.imagin.lu/television-radio/bouquets-numeriques/bouquet-imagin/ Bouquet Imagin]</ref>
* On [[DSL]] lines through [[IPTV]] to [[Proximus]], Scarlet and Billi customers, as well as [[P&TLuxembourg|PostTV]] in [[Luxembourg]];<ref>[http://www.tele.lu/eng/Service Included channels], [[P&TLuxembourg|PostTV]]</ref>
* On satellite [[free-to-air]] worldwide as a participant in francophone {{lang|fr|[[TV5Monde]]}} channel;
* On [[digital terrestrial television]] using [[DVB-T]] on [[UHF]] and [[VHF]] frequencies in [[Brussels]] and [[Wallonia]].

===Current channels===
* {{lang|fr|[[La Une]]}} (''Channel One''): the RTBF's main channel television, formerly known as RTBF1; began in 1953 on VHF channel 10; in [[PAL]] color since 1973
* {{lang|fr|[[Tipik (TV channel)|Tipik]]}}: formerly known as {{lang|fr|[[La Deux]]}}, {{lang|fr|RTBF La Deux}}, {{lang|fr|RTbis}} and {{lang|fr|Télé 21}}; began in 1977
* {{lang|fr|[[La Trois]]}} (''Channel Three''): the quality TV channel; began in 2007; there are no [[television advertisement|commercial adverts]] on this channel
* {{lang|fr|Arte Belgique}}: in collaboration with the Franco-German TV network {{lang|fr|[[Arte]]}}

===Video on demand===
The [[Video on demand]] (VOD) offer of the RTBF is available on several platforms:
* Web: Free VOD has been collected under the RTBF {{ill|Auvio|fr}} brand since 2016. Offering [[Catch up TV]], allowing viewers to see all programs from the RTBF channels during 7 days after broadcast.
* IDTV: Free catch-up TV and pay VOD
* [[Mobile device]]: {{lang|fr|La Une}} and {{lang|fr|Tipik}} are available on several Belgian mobile networks.
* [[Video game console]]s: [[PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]]

==Radio channels==
The RTBF broadcasts radio channels in either analogue format ([[Frequency modulation|FM]] and digital format (using [[Digital audio broadcasting|DAB]] and [[DVB-T]]). All channels are also broadcast live over the Internet.

===Analogue and digital===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name !! Type !! VRT equivalent
|-
| {{lang|fr|[[La Première (Belgium)|La Première]]}} || news, information, talk and culture ||  {{lang|nl|[[Radio 1 (Belgium)|Radio 1]]}}
|-
| {{lang|fr|[[VivaCité]]}} || general pop music, [[regions of Belgium|regional news]] and sport || {{lang|nl|[[Radio 2 (Belgium)|Radio 2]]}} and {{lang|nl|[[Sporza]]}}
|-
| {{lang|fr|[[Classic 21]]}} || classic rock and pop || {{lang|nl|[[Studio Brussel]]}}
|-
| {{lang|fr|[[Tipik]]}} || young and alternative pop music || {{lang|nl|[[Studio Brussel]]}} and [[MNM (radio station)|MNM]]
|-
| {{lang|fr|[[Musiq'3]]}} || classical and jazz music plus opera || Klara
|-
| ''RTBF Mix'' || DAB station airing in Flanders, with a selection of programs from La Première, VivaCité and Classic 21 || None
|}

===Digital-only channels===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* {{lang|fr|[[:fr:Jam (radio belge)|Jam]]}}: Focus on music of the hip hop, indie rock, electronic, new jazz, urban, soundtrack, folk acoustic, neo soul and world music genres
* {{lang|fr|Viva+}}: Focus on music of the "Golden Sixties" and the 1970s
* {{lang|fr|VivaSport}}: Focus on live sports coverage and commentary
{{Div col end}}

===Streaming-only channels===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 60s}}: Focus on the "Golden Sixties"
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 70s}}: Focus on music from the 1970s
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 80s Hits}}: Focus on hit music from the 1980s
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 80s New Wave}}: Focus on [[new wave music]] from the 1980s
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 90s}}: Focus on music from the 1990s
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 Blues}}: Focus on blues
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 Live}}: Focus on live music
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 Metal}}: Focus on metal
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 Noir Jaune Rock}}: Focus on rock
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 Route66}}: Focus on [[route 66]] related music
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 Soul Power}}: Focus on soul
* {{lang|fr|Classic 21 Underground}}: Focus on underground music
* {{lang|fr|Musiq'3 Baroque}}: Focus on opera
* {{lang|fr|Musiq'3 Jazz}}: Focus on jazz
* {{lang|fr|Musiq'3 Top Du Classique}}: Focus on classic music
* {{lang|fr|Tarmac}}: Focus on urban music
* {{lang|fr|Tipik À l'anicienne}}: Focus on music from the 1990s and 2000s
{{Div col end}}

They also have a [[Traffic Message Channel|TMC]] service transmitted on ''Classic 21''.

==See also==
* [[VRT (broadcaster)|VRT]]
* [[List of television channels in Belgium]]
* [[Public Francophone Radios]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commonscatinline}}
* {{Official website}} {{in lang|fr}}
* {{instagram|rtbf}}
* {{facebook|rtbf}}

{{RTBF}}
{{European Broadcasting Union Members}}
{{Radio stations in Belgium}}
{{EU TV}}
{{EU Radio}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Television networks in Belgium]]
[[Category:French-language television networks]]
[[Category:Television channels in Belgium]]
[[Category:Publicly funded broadcasters]]
[[Category:French-language television in Belgium]]
[[Category:European Broadcasting Union members]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1930]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1953]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in Belgium]]
[[Category:Mass media in Brussels]]
[[Category:Belgian news websites]]
[[Category:YouTube channels launched in 2006]]