RTBF MEDIA SQUARE

Promoter – Financial Intermediary

RADIO-TELEVISION BELGE DE LA COMMUNAUTE FRANCAISE

Location

• Belgium

Description

The project consists in the construction of media - production, studios, information and communication technologies (ICT) - and office facilities by the Radio-Television Belge de la Communauté Francaise de Belgique (RTBF), a public sector organism in charge of public television (TV) and radio broadcasting for the French-speaking community of Belgium (around 4 million people). The new infrastructure, called "Media Square", will also be a key component of a wider urban regeneration plan for the Reyers area of Brussels. The project twill be implemented over the 2019-2022 period.

Objectives

The project takes advantage of digitalisation that has led to a convergence of media platforms. Patterns of production and distribution have evolved and require overcoming the silo mentality, which is difficult to achieve in the current site with its structural deficiencies. The deployment of cutting-edge digital technologies will foster cost efficient transmedia productions and the ability to distribute content quickly across multiple platforms and formats.

Sector(s)

• Telecom - Information and communication

Proposed EIB finance (Approximate amount)

EUR 60 million

Total cost (Approximate amount)

EUR 157 million

Environmental aspects

This operation will support the construction of a new building and equipment for public Media production (radio and TV) in urban area. In comparison with the current old building that will be demolished after the move, the energy performance will be significantly improved and will help mitigate climate change. Compliance with the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings- recast (2010/31/EU) will be further examined during the appraisal. The Bank will also assess the promoters' environmental management capacity to properly apply the European Union Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2011/92/EU amended by 2014/52/EU, as the project is covered by Annex II of the Directive in relation to urban development.

Procurement

The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project shall be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directive 2014/24/EU where applicable, as well as Directives 89/665/EEC) as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union, with the publication of tender notices in the Official Journal of the European Union, as and where required.

Status

Signed - 19/12/2019