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ZDF Director General Himmler: Cost plans far below the inflation rate

Photo: Arne Dedert / dpa

With regard to the future amount of the broadcasting fee, ZDF anticipates an impact on the programme. In an interview with the German Press Agency, Artistic Director Norbert Himmler answered in the affirmative to the question of whether more reruns will be broadcast and fewer contracts will be awarded to production companies if the contribution does not increase or only slightly. "The main savings will have to take place in the program, because that's the biggest financial item for us." What ZDF, based in Mainz, has announced in terms of financial requirements for the next contribution period from 2025 already means a real minus.

Most recently, a draft by independent financial experts from the Commission for the Determination of the Financial Needs of Broadcasting Corporations (KEF) discussed an increase in the broadcasting fee by 58 cents to 18.94 euros per month. Public service broadcasting, including ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio, is mainly financed by this contribution, which is paid by households and companies. The KEF committee is expected to propose to the minister-presidents in February a contribution level from 2025 onwards. The federal states decide, but must closely follow the recommendation. In 2022, ZDF generated around 2.2 billion euros in revenue from the broadcasting fee.

"What we have registered with the KEF is already far below the inflation rate," said ZDF boss Himmler. This is a clear and forward-looking signal of ZDF's economy, even though it has to contend with rising prices and costs. In addition, the broadcaster awards many commissioned productions on the German television and production market. "We have demonstrably cost increases of between 10 and 15 percent there. A KEF registration by ZDF, which is between 2 and 3 percent, is therefore very moderate."

Admonition to the heads of state

In response to the question of whether there will be zero rounds of collective bargaining, Himmler said: "No, but increases such as those currently taking place in the public sector are hardly possible." Asked if he ruled out job cuts, Himmler said: "At the moment, yes. We've had a tough job cut."

Commenting on the current KEF proceedings, Himmler said: "I trust that the federal states will adhere to the procedure they have set themselves and the constitutional requirements." The background to this is that several minister-presidents have already made it clear that they will not support an increase in the broadcasting fee, although the KEF has not yet made a recommendation. They argue that there is currently no support among the population for a plus. Politicians are calling for more cost-cutting efforts on the part of media companies. Some also cite the crisis over allegations of nepotism at the ARD broadcaster Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) in their argumentation.

Among the critics is Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff. The CDU politician, who is also a member of the ZDF board of directors, does not see a majority for an increase in Saxony-Anhalt. "I will not allow this discussion to develop into a government or state crisis."

ZDF boss Himmler referred to the austerity measures in his own house. "Beyond the moderate registration, we at ZDF have launched major reform projects that advance our internal structure and make us even more efficient." He mentioned the modernization of programming and distribution, production and administration. At the same time, the streaming network will be expanded with ARD. In addition, advertising revenues from the public broadcasters meant that they would have to register fewer financial requirements with the KEF.

Himmler also mentioned the ZDF select streaming service, which can be booked separately on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and which shows old ZDF series and films. The offer stands for what used to be DVD distribution. "We leave shows in the media library as long as we have the rights ourselves." After that, the programme could also be commercially exploited. The money collected flows back to authors and the broadcaster. ZDF select is part of the subsidiary ZDF-Studios. "The profits from ZDF studios flow back into ZDF and reduce the amount of the broadcasting fee, just as they do with advertising."

mik/dpa-AFX