Hilda Verboven
Hilda Verboven (b. 1932) began working in broadcasting in the 1960s, at the Belgian Radio and Television’s Department for Youth, where she set up countless new programmes for teenagers. Verboven was known for her daring approach and outspoken style. Among other things, she made a name for herself with Tienerklanken, a music and lifestyle programme for young people that did not eschew such touchy subjects as homosexuality. In 1980, she produced the children’s animation series, De Wonderwinkel (The Magic Shop). In 1982, Hilda Verboven was appointed head of the BRT Art Affairs Department. As its production director, she spearheaded a great number of arts and cultural programmes, including IJsbreker (Icebreaker) and Container. In addition, her name is closely linked with Coda, a poetry programme that concluded the evening’s broadcasting, and Kunst-Zaken (Art Affairs, 1983-1991). This informative art programme was shown during prime time, after the evening news, and explicitly focused on international contemporary art and avant-garde movements. Kunst-Zaken, which had the reputation of being an audience chaser, became a symbol in the debate on the cultural/educational objectives of the public broadcasting network. Verboven, who also largely continued to support the makers of Container, collided more than once with the network’s new directors. In 1992, Verboven was appointed head of the department for youth and recreational programming, where, among other things, she was responsible for the production of the programme NV De Wereld (The World Inc.). In 1996, Hilda Verboven, along with 17 other executives of the VRT, was forced to take early retirement. [Daniël Biltereyst]
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