The ORF also has a New Year’s resolution in mind: to make even more programs for everyone, as everyone now finances public broadcasting, regardless of reception equipment. ORF KIDS went on air for the youngest children. Series and film fans can look forward to extended viewing times in the online area. Vienna. The many changes were made necessary by an amendment to the ORF law. This provides for an ORF contribution of 15.30 euros per month and household. The previous GIS fee of 18.59 euros linked to television and radio sets has been replaced. This made the ORF fee cheaper for most households, which is due to the fact that around 600,000 households will now be asked to pay. Secondary residences are excluded, and fee exemptions remain. In some federal states, a state tax is added to the ORF contribution, which does not benefit the ORF.
With the fees, the ORF is now allowed to operate its own streaming platform called “ORF ON”. It is available at. In addition to the white and black logo, “Test version” is emblazoned. The platform will continue to be updated with additional features until April. Only then will it completely replace the old ORF TV library. The two portals are currently running in parallel. Content can remain on ORF ON for up to six months. Previously, the ORF had a seven-day deadline. The ORF may keep selected documentation and children’s programs available indefinitely. The ORF was also enabled to provide content online first and online only following preliminary order review. The public media company uses the former for the late-night cabaret program “Welcome Austria”, which will in future be shown from 8 p.m. on the day it is broadcast. The ORF is thinking regarding online-only productions for the future.
ORF ON has a look that is already familiar from many other streaming providers. Several lanes such as “Our best series”, “Film recommendations”, “Exciting documentaries and reports”, “News”, “From the ORF archive” or “Best of Entertainment” are laid out on a black background. A separate section describes what is currently particularly popular – on Tuesday there were two episodes of the 40-part new documentary series “Austria – The Whole Story”, several editions of the series “Sisi” and the first episode of the new series “Beasts ” in the top six. The ORF recently advertised heavily with the latter. “Biester” was written by “Vorstadtweiber” maker Uli Brée. Speaking of “Vorstadtweiber”: The six seasons of the series are as well as “Quickly Investigated”, various “Soko” editions, “Walking on Sunshine”, “MA 2412”, “Country Crimes”, “Kottan Investigated” and several “Universum” – Episodes can also be found on ORF ON. The live program will be linked to the ORF TVthek until April.
ORF’s new children’s program for three to 14 year olds is also embedded on ORF ON. In addition to a 24-hour streaming channel, various well-known programs such as “ZiB Zack Mini”, “Tolle Animals” or “ABC Bear” as well as new material in the form of “Kling Klang” are available for viewing.
The many ORF.at users have to change somewhat, but not particularly significantly. The amendment to the law was accompanied by a limit on text messages to 350 per week. 70 percent of the contributions on ORF.at must consist of video or audio material. As a result, text reporting is throttled down, while a new audio news overview can be found towards the end of the “blue” page. A video section was established underneath that can be filtered by departments such as “Chronicle”, “Foreign”, “Domestic” or “Culture”. Video material can also be found just below the news overview in tile form at the top of ORF.at. The text messages are still structured in the well-known form. Only the background of the messages was changed to white to make them easier to read. The rest of the page is still blue. You cannot access ORF On via ORF.at. There is still a link to the old TV library.
ORF Sound can also be controlled via the “blue” side. Radio content is now available there for 30 days instead of seven days. You can also enjoy various playlists there for several days. There are, for example, the “Ö3 Playlist Rock”, the “Ö3 Playlist 2000s” or the “FM4 Charts”.
