English-language Media in Belgium

Information about the local and international English-language print and broadcast media that is available in Belgium...

There are a few options for those seeking English-speaking radio and television channels, as well as print publications, when living in Belgium.

Radio

Radio X is a Brussels-based, commercial radio station serving English speakers in Belgium. It features local and regional news, talk shows, comment, special interest programmes, cultural items and contemporary music. It is also possible to listen via the smartphone app

Radio on the Internet: English-language stations online

Many international radio stations are available streamed live on the Internet. You typically need Real Player, although sometimes a feed is available in Windows Media, compatible with the players that have shipped with recent versions of Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

• For a fairly comprehensive list of the many stations that provide this service
• Directory of over 13,000 radio stations: Streema Online Radio Stations

Alternatively, select one of the stations below for (relatively) instant access to live radio:

• To reach links to any of the BBC Radio stations
• The BBC World Service
• Voice of America
• CNN Radio

International online news

• Mail Plus App

• BBC News
• CNN News

Television

Cable TV is widely available with channels screened in their original language with Dutch or French subtitles.

• Find out more about Television in Belgium

To pick up English-language free-to-air programmes (unscrambled) such as BBC World, CNBC Europe, CNN International, Euronews, MTV and Skynews, a satellite reception system capable of picking up the Astra-1 satellite cluster is required.

For more channels, opt for a HotBird system, available on the HotBird satellite cluster.

A step up from this is the Astra 2 system, which may allow you to see ITV, BBC 1 and BBC 2 programmes, although to receive these a larger satellite dish will be required.

English-language Publications

Most major publications are available online as well as in print. For a more portable digital version, apps like the Mail Plus App from the UK's Daily Mail Group allow the latest news to be read on a phone or tablet, often for much less than the cost of subscription.

• The Bulletin: Focuses on political, cultural and social news about Belgium and Brussels for English-speaking residents. It publishes a list of the TV-programmes on the Brussels cable network
• Flanders Today: Subscription only magazine with information on current affairs, politics, innovations, arts, lifestyle, business and education
• Brussels Deze Week: Trilingual cultural magazine published each Wednesday, with articles about films, music, performing arts, exhibitions, shops and restaurants in English, French and Dutch. Film listings and agenda for cultural activities

A wide range of English-language papers are available at news stands in Brussels, some of which have their own Belgian edition.

You can also often read your favourite newspaper online:

UK

• The Belfast Telegraph
• The Daily Express
• The Daily/Sunday Telegraph
• The Financial Times
• The Guardian
• The Independent
• The Mirror
• The Sun
• The Scotsman
• The Times

Ireland

• The Irish Independent
• The Irish News
• The Irish Times

USA

• The Chicago Sun Times
• The LA Times
• The New York Times
• The New York Post
• The San Francisco Chronicle
• The San Francisco Examiner
• The Seattle Times
• USA Today
• The Wall Street Journal
• The Washington Post

Canada

• The Montreal Gazette
• The Toronto Star
• The Vancouver Sun
• The Globe and Mail

Australia

• The Sydney Morning Herald
• The Melbourne Age

New Zealand

• The New Zealand Herald

South Africa

• Business Day
• Netwerk 24(in Afrikaans)
• Independent Newspapers (The Star, The Cape, Argus, etc)
• The Weekly Mail and Guardian

• English-language Media
• Local English Media
• English-language Cinema
• Festivals & Events