Flemish public-service broadcaster Vlaamse Radio en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT) will soon lay off 116 staff and by 2025, over 200 people will be fired, according to Belgian broadcaster RTBF.
In total, VRT intends to reduce its staff from 2,028 full time staff to just 1,825 by 2025. According to the management of VRT, most layoffs will take place in 2023. The broadcaster is currently negotiating the staff reductions with unions.
The production currently hires 70 members of staff, including actors and production technicians.
VRT’s transformation plan is likely related to the company’s decision to cut its budget by around €25 million each year. By 2025, VRT will only broadcast outsourced drama and fiction series.
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A new focus will be made on producing programs and documentaries in house which target children and young people. The channel will invest €16 million into the training of its staff to diversify its multimedia projects.
Flemish media has struggled to maintain its viewership, as young people increasingly shun broadcast media in favour of streaming services and the internet. VRT has stated its intention to adapt its new strategy to reach a younger audience.
Notably, popular soap opera “Thuis” will also be outsourced. The programme has been recorded from its headquarters in Reyers, Brussels since 1995.
