MDR strokes radio programs: savings from 2027 provide excitement!

MDR strokes radio programs: savings from 2027 provide excitement!

Dresden, Deutschland - The radio and in Central Germany faces significant changes. The Mitteldeutsche Rundfunk (MDR) plans to radiate terrestrial to three of its radio programs from 2027. These include MDR Classic, MDR Schlagerwelt and MDR Tweens, which will only be received via DAB+ in the future. Why this step? Political requirements for saving on public service broadcasting are the main reason for these drastic cuts. As reports [saechsische.de] (https://www.saechsische.de/sachsen/dresen-leipzig-mdr-dreich-drei-drei-radi programs-was-azikavzikavzqdj4jwpisnyxosi.html?outPuttype=valid_amp), the reform contract, which comes into force next December of at least 16 radio programs. This reduces the number of ARD radio waves from currently 69 to only 53.

The number of listeners of the affected programs are quite remarkable. MDR Classic scored the gratifying number of 8,000 new listeners in 2023 and reaches around 847,000 people weekly, while MDR hit world can look forward to over 14,000 fresh listeners and address 77,000 and 432,000 people every day. The MDR Tweens children's program, which has only been digitally on the air since 2018, does not record published number of listeners, but should not be neglected in the discussion about the program reductions.

criticism and savings

The MDR not only sees itself confronted with program changes, but also with a comprehensive savings program of 160 million euros, which is planned for 2024. This includes significant cuts in the program content as well as a stopping stop for pension points. The MDR-Rundfunkrat has sharply criticized the centralization and reduction of regional offers, which is incomprehensible by many listeners.

This variety of programs also has financial backgrounds. From August 2021, the radio fee is 18.36 euros per budget, and the expenses of the various programs such as MDR Classical, MDR Tweens and MDR Schlagerwelt amount to just 1 to 2 cents per household. For comparison: the Saxon radio costs 35 cents, while MDR is currently on booking 30 cents. Here it becomes clear that despite the comparatively low costs, the pressure on the content is huge.

future plans and outlook

The strategic orientation of the MDR is in the flow. Director Ralf Ludwig is optimistic and excludes operational terminations, but wants to use freelancers otherwise. As noted Spiegel.de, the willingness to adapt to the future challenges. The variety of program offers made available by ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio remains a central concern to continue to reach spectators and listeners in the future.

It remains to be seen how exactly these changes will shape the radiolal landscape in Central Germany. One thing is clear: there is something to do, and the listeners are required to adapt to new structures and formats that will arise in the context of the legal requirements. The discussion about the value and future of public service broadcasting will certainly continue for a long time.

For the listeners of the respective programs, this is no reason to be sad, because the wide range of content will continue to ensure entertainment and information in the remaining formats, as part of the continuously developed public service broadcast.