The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has taken a significant step in engaging younger audiences by creating a dedicated Eurovision world on the popular game platform Roblox. This virtual world features avatars representing each participating country, including a digital version of Belgian contestant Red Sebastian. Among the broadcasters, VRT, the British BBC, and the Finnish YLE have portals to their own local Roblox worlds, enhancing the reach and engagement of the Eurovision Song Contest. 

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Karel Degraeve, Innovation Expert at VRT NWS (news department of Flemish public broadcaster VRT) shares his views on the challenges and opportunities of AI for journalism and the media.

VRT is currently in the midst of filming new seasons for drama series The twelve and Juliet. Filming for the brand-new drama series Breendonk is also ongoing. For these productions, VRT collaborates with various partners and broadcasters - public and commercial, as well as domestic and foreign - to sustainably produce high-quality drama that resonates with audiences both in Flanders and beyond.

VRT has unveiled its latest drama series, Red Flag, a show filmed entirely in a vertical format. With this innovative project, VRT aims to cater to the viewing habits of young people, who increasingly use their smartphones as their primary screen. Red Flag offers a unique and confrontational look at how technology dominates our lives and how thin the line is between personal freedom and digital control. The main roles are played by Ayana Doucouré and Vincent Banic, who take viewers into the digital world of Luna and David, filled with red flags and toxic vibes.

Research shows that eight out of ten Flemings are concerned about disinformation. And that is understandable. In a world of deep fakes, image manipulation, and fake news, we seek our way to reliable information. Whether it's through the VRT NWS app, the news broadcast, or the newspaper on the table: viewers of all ages can rely on VRT. Because it feels familiar, because it reassures, and because it – in its own words – provides information that is honest, fast, and clear.

At the Series Mania festival in Lille, VRT and seven other public broadcasters - SVT (Sweden), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RÚV (Iceland), NRK (Norway), NPO (Netherlands) and ZDF (Germany) - unveiled their upcoming slate of drama series, coproduced and distributed through the international New8 collaboration. Among these, the Flemish public broadcaster VRT introduces Breendonk, a historical drama series that narrates the poignant story of young lovers Elisabeth and Rik, set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II. All series presented embody the values of public service media, and give local stories and talent an international audience.

For more than 10 years, VRT's STIP IT campaign has called on people to stand up against bullying. With four dots on a hand as a powerful symbol, STIP IT aims to connect, unite and engage young and old.

The campaign, originally initiated by VRT's children's channel Ketnet, has grown significantly over the years, extending its reach beyond Flanders to the Netherlands, Wallonia, and now also Slovenia. Martina Peštaj, Head of Children's and Youth Programme on TV Slovenija, shares how the STIP IT-format was adapted in Slovenia - and how it made an impact.

The cast of Ketnet series #LikeMe is stepping into the digital age with a virtual concert in Roblox. The initiative is the result of an innovative collaboration between VRT, Ketnet, FABRIC MAGIC, and the Digital Arts & Entertainment department of Howest Kortrijk. By merging music, games, and virtual technology, the project offers fans an entirely new way to experience #LikeMe.