34 of 35 ORF basis board members really useful that ORF boss Roland Weißmann maintain clarifying talks with the Ministry of Finance and scale back the variety of “ghost households”. Vienna. In response to Heinz Lederer, SPÖ “Mates Circle Chief” on the Basis Board, there was an “intensive dialogue” about who was in charge for the hole of round 170,000 households which can be required to pay. The legislator used knowledge from the central register of residents for its forecast of round 4 million households. These “ghost households” should now be eradicated with a view to shut the finances hole, the Basis Board insisted on a speedy clarification. Sigrid Pilz, who speaks for the Inexperienced “Mates Circle”, was additionally astonished that such a niche may even exist: “Really, one ought to know what number of households and secondary residences there are.” However the ORF shouldn’t be “put in charge” for the case. The police arrange a particular job power months in the past to make clear the circumstances.
34 of 35 ORF basis board members in the end really useful that Weißmann maintain talks with the Ministry of Finance. “What will be clarified have to be clarified,” stated Thomas Zach, head of the ÖVP “Mates’ Circle.”
2023 optimistic from a monetary perspective
By way of funds, the earlier yr was optimistic for ORF. The ORF Group closed 2023 with a optimistic EBT of 16.5 million euros (2022: 9.6 million euros). The dad or mum firm’s EBT was 4 million euros (2022: 1.9 million euros). The ORF Group’s gross sales revenues rose barely to 1.078 billion euros in 2023 (2022: 1.07 billion euros). The biggest chunk comes from program charge revenues. Right here there was a rise of round 4 million euros to 676 million euros. These from promoting, alternatively, fell by round eight million euros to 210.5 million euros. Different gross sales revenues amounted to 191.3 million euros (2022: 188.7 million euros).
A number of basis board members have been impressed that the talk format “A Place on the Phrase” is to be rolled out throughout the entire nation. For the time being it’s only being carried out by the Decrease Austria regional studio, with discussions involving the inhabitants on subjects such because the return of the wolf, absolutely slatted flooring in pig farming and snowboarding. Zach sees this as an “necessary contribution to the tradition of debate” within the nation. One can have interaction “with respect for the individual and but critically with the opinion of others”. Pilz additionally considers it “necessary” that the format is rolled out throughout Austria. “It shouldn’t be a spot the place individuals ramble, however quite necessary, fact-based debates are held,” stated the muse board member.
Pilz recognized a necessity for enchancment with regard to the ORF kids’s program. “We can not settle for that kids put collectively their program on Disney or Netflix. The ORF should supply high-quality applications in order that kids uncover the ORF as a medium and stay loyal to it in maturity,” stated Pilz. Lederer, alternatively, hopes for an “thrilling political discuss present in the midst of the week.” New presenters should even be skilled and the invitation coverage mentioned.
“It is time to go away synthetic pleasure behind”
There was no signal of any change for Peter Westenthaler, a member of the muse’s board who was despatched by the FPÖ. Most of his colleagues had written a letter accusing him of creating statements that have been damaging to the corporate. He put 9 gadgets on the agenda, which made the assembly somewhat longer. “The main focus is on factual points. It is time to go away synthetic pleasure and election marketing campaign noise behind us,” stated Zach when requested about Westenthaler earlier than the assembly.
The ORF legislation have to be amended with regard to the ORF Basis Council by the top of March 2025, because the Constitutional Courtroom (VfGH) acknowledged that the federal government has an excessive amount of affect within the appointment of the 35-member physique. Media Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) stated on Thursday on the sidelines of the European Household Convention in Vienna that professional discussions have been at present happening on this matter.
