Belgian podcasts are booming - RTBF and VRT produce hundreds of hours per year, often transcribed for accessibility and SEO. Independent creators, businesses and Belgian media are discovering that translating and transcribing their podcasts enables them to reach a much wider audience, beyond the country's linguistic boundaries.
RTBF and VRT podcasts
Belgium's two major public broadcasters - RTBF on the French-speaking side and VRT on the Dutch-speaking side - have developed rich podcast catalogues: news programmes, audio documentaries, fiction series, and cultural podcasts. These are produced in a single language but could reach the entire Belgian community through translation.
- Transcription for podcast platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Deezer display transcriptions in their apps, a major asset for accessibility and search engine indexing
- French to Dutch translation of RTBF podcasts: making French-language programmes accessible to Flemish listeners, with cultural adaptation for regional references
- Dutch to French translation of VRT podcasts: opening Flemish productions (Klara, Radio 1) to French-speaking Belgian and international audiences
- Creation of bilingual RSS feeds: setting up separate language feeds for optimised multi-channel distribution
Podcast translation goes beyond transcribing speech: it includes adapting cultural references, wordplay and idiomatic expressions so the content resonates naturally with the new audience. Our translators are themselves avid podcast listeners, sensitive to the nuances of the audio format.
Transcription for SEO and accessibility
In Belgium, the EU Digital Accessibility Directive strongly encourages media to make their audio content accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Transcription is the simplest and most cost-effective solution to meet this requirement, while generating substantial SEO benefits.
- SEO transcription: each transcribed episode becomes an indexable web page, generating organic traffic for keywords specific to your topics
- WCAG 2.1 accessibility: text transcription enables deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to consume your audio content in full
- Enriched show notes: we transform transcriptions into structured show notes (chapters, quotes, links) to improve the listener experience and SEO value of your site
- Subtitles for video podcasts: conversion of transcriptions into SRT or VTT files for video versions broadcast on YouTube and Instagram
TranslateBE
Podcast translation and transcription in Belgium
Translators and transcribers specialised in the audio format. FR/NL bilingual, SEO-optimised, free quote within 1 hour.
Rates
Transcription of a podcast episode is charged between €1.50 and €2 per minute of audio. For a standard 30-minute episode, expect to pay between €45 and €60. French to Dutch or Dutch to French translation of a 30-minute episode is charged between €80 and €150 depending on content complexity.
Regular creators benefit from volume discounts: from 4 episodes per month, a monthly subscription is available with a preferential rate and guaranteed delivery within 48 hours. Contact us for a tailored package adapted to your publishing schedule.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why should I transcribe my podcast?
Three good reasons: first, SEO : Google indexes text, not audio, so each published transcription increases your online visibility. Second, accessibility : deaf and hard-of-hearing people can read your episodes. Third, content longevity : a transcription can be repurposed as a blog article, newsletter or social media thread, multiplying the reach of every episode.
Can I translate my podcast into Dutch to reach Flemish listeners?
Absolutely. Translating a French podcast into Dutch is an excellent strategy for Belgian companies wishing to address both major linguistic communities. We adapt not only the text but also cultural references and idiomatic expressions so your podcast sounds natural in Dutch. On request, we can also coordinate the recording of a dubbed audio version by a native Flemish voice actor.
What is the turnaround for transcribing 1 hour of podcast?
For 1 hour of good-quality podcast recording (one or two voices, no background noise), the professional transcription turnaround is 24 to 36 hours. We deliver the transcription in Word format and plain text (TXT), ready to be copied into your content management system (WordPress, Ghost, Substack). SRT files for video subtitles are available as an option.