English-language Media in Belgium

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

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

Radio

The BBC World Service can be received on short wave or cable FM. Click here for west and south-west Europe's frequency chart, or here for the listing of frequencies - note that all times given are GMT, so add an hour during winter and two hours during summer for local time (CET).

Voice of America is also available on short wave, with NewsNow.

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: Click here
• 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:

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

International online news

• BBC News
• CNN News

Television

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 will allow you to see ITV, BBC 1 and BBC 2 programmes, although to receive these a rather large dish (2.4 to 3 metres) will be required.

• For a good (if not entirely comprehensive) list of what's on TV across Europe: Click here

Print Publications

• The Bulletin: Published weekly, it 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
• (A)way Magazine: Magazine for international families in Belgium, published every two months. Information on health and well-being, fashion and leisure, kids and education and Belgian life

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
• And many more, listed here

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
• And many more, listed here

Canada

• The Montreal Gazette
• The Toronto Star
• The Vancouver Sun
• The Globe and the Mail
• And many more, listed here

Australia

• The Sydney Morning Herald
• The Melbourne Age
• And many more, listed here

New Zealand

• The New Zealand Herald
• And many more, listed here

South Africa

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