Overview
- The Berliner Rechnungshof recommends removing three lower-reach radio programs and restricting RBB to a single distribution path.
- The report calls for phasing out FM in favor of DAB+, with ARD estimating about 20% savings from ending parallel analog transmission.
- Citing audience data, the likely targets are Fritz, radio3 and Cosmo, and coverage differs on whether current rules permit four or six terrestrial programs while RBB operates seven.
- Auditors also propose reviewing advertising rules, including allowing ads in telemedia and expanding radio ad time, a move the private broadcaster group VAUNET opposes as harmful to the commercial market.
- RBB’s pension provisions rose 42% from 2017 to 2022, about €49 million in savings and roughly 100 job cuts since 2023 have not eliminated structural gaps, a €8.7 million deficit is projected for 2028, and the Senate is urged to standardize oversight while no closures have been decided.