These contracts are themselves relatively recent inventions in Belgium’s media policy process (Coppens and Saeys 2006). Prior to their creation in 1997, a license-fee system was used. Critics claimed that this left public service broadcasters both underfunded and unaccountable. Since the implementation of these contracts, audience shares have increased for public service broadcasters (De Bens 2004; d’Haenens and Saeys 2001). Scholars have questioned the general transparency involved in this process: whereas laws need to go through lengthy parliamentary processes, contracts are formed between a single department within the ruling government and the public service broadcasters (Coppens and Saeys 2006)
