Textual analysis of Flemish television drama produced by the monopolistic public service broadcaster discloses strong representational patterns constructing a homogeneous discourse about the nation, focusing on rural Flanders in the early 20th century. Using document analysis and expert interviews, the production context of this discourse is reconstructed. The drama on offer turns out to be the product of a cultural-educational and Flemish-minded broadcasting policy, deliberately aiming to stimulate Flemish culture and the viewers’ national identity. However, there are also other factors at play, such as viewer preferences, financial restrictions and creative constraints. The drama produced, and the portrayal of Flanders, is the result of processes of negotiation between these considerations and restrictions.
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