The die is cast, these are no longer plans but soon to be reality. Now that we have been deprived of culture for almost a year, this initiative, an alternative platform on TV and online, supported by seven Flemish Cultural Institutions (Ancienne Belgique, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic, Concertgebouw Brugge, deSingel, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and Kunstencentrum Vooruit) has gained momentum.
From 21 January, this will be the largest platform in Flanders. 'Thuis in cultuur' aims to bring culture to people's homes. The connection with the audience is rekindled through universal feelings of all times via opera, concerts, dance, theater, literature… Being able to watch these performances on TV is quite a difference in quality compared to streaming via social media. This way, a much larger audience is reached. Through Podium 19, the general public can broaden their taste. Artists are also offered new perspectives with properly paid jobs. The aim is to strive for diversity and balance in the submitted projects. It is a win-win situation.
Programming and Schedule
From Thursday 21 January, you can visit Podium 19 every day for a diverse range from the Flemish cultural institutions with:
- -Two TV premieres per evening, from Thursday through Sunday
- -Reruns from Monday through Wednesday
The broadcast schedule features new content on Thursday / Friday / Saturday / Sunday from 21:00 and on Sunday from 17:00. This new content is repeated throughout the week, with reruns at different times. This way, linear viewers have different options to watch a broadcast. Moreover, the programming blocks deliberately mix repeats with diverse genres and disciplines. So the casual viewer never has to wait long to find something of choice.
The four 'premiere' days each have their own genre and discipline:
- -Thursday from 21:00: pop / rock / subgenres
- -Friday from 21:00: classical music
- -Saturday from 21:00: stage
- -Sunday from 17:00: kids / jazz / world music / literature
A fixed format is chosen, but it is also deviated from for thematic projects that provide relief, such as Belgian Music Week, Dance Day or the Klara Festival. So Podium 19 is dedicated to the theme week Bach Academy from Thursday 28 January.
The seven Flemish Cultural Institutions finance the recordings themselves with additional support from the Flemish Community. VRT has also fully committed and offers its expertise, and operators Proximus, Telenet, Orange Belgium, UITinVlaanderen, Publiq and Sabam support this initiative and join as partners, so this cultural channel is available to everyone. Special mention to Videohouse for making this possible.
The Podium 19 programme is not only filled by the Flemish Cultural Institutions. A significant part comes from other professional arts venues and companies from across Flanders in a shared platform. In the coming weeks, these include:
- -BAM! – Ulima Vez
- -Nordmann – Handelsbeurs
- -Geel hesje – Nieuwstedelijk
- -Die Tote Stadt – De Munt
Thanks to Podium 19, the public can once again enjoy high-quality productions, many artists and supporting teams can continue working, and the artistic activities of the Flemish cultural institutions can continue. Conductor Riccardo Muti said during the New Year's concert of the Wiener Philharmoniker: "Culture is essential for people's mental health." This initiative is truly a godsend and will not only give the cultural sector a boost, but will be welcomed with open arms by the public.
Podium 19 on TV and online
- -Channel 19 of Proximus Pickx
- -Channel 99 of Telenet TV
- -Channel 20 of Orange TV
For more information: podium19.be