European public broadcasters unite for children's fiction

VRT, the Belgian public broadcaster, is joining forces with the BBC (UK), DR (Denmark), NPO (Netherlands), and NRK (Norway) in a new venture called the 'Northern Star Project.' This collaboration is dedicated to producing live-action fiction series for children aged 7 and older, aiming to create content that resonates, challenges, and connects young viewers.

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Now that international competition is increasing, we believe Europe's strength lies in collaboration.

The project signifies a shared ambition among the five broadcasters to invest in high-quality children's fiction. The goal is to develop series that are recognizable to children across Northern Europe while remaining rooted in local narratives. This approach is seen as vital in today's complex world, where compelling stories can illuminate contemporary issues.

"Now that international competition is increasing, we believe Europe's strength lies in collaboration," stated Anne Dreesen, network manager for Ketnet, VRT's children's channel. She emphasized that the project pools creativity, diversity, and shared public values to produce ambitious children's fiction. For VRT, this partnership is a strategic move to enhance its investment in children's content, strengthen international ties, and promote Flemish stories and creators abroad.

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With this project, we pool our creativity, diversity, and shared public values to create ambitious fiction for children.

Public broadcasters face growing challenges in independently producing children's fiction series. By pooling resources, these organizations aim to increase their impact and reach. The 'Northern Star Project' is also expected to open new avenues for Flemish writers, screenwriters, and production companies, fostering a more robust European children's media landscape.

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For VRT, this is a logical step: we invest in strong content for children, strengthen our international cooperation, and can better promote Flemish stories and creators abroad.