So Many Millions the ORF May Use from the Household Levy
At the start of the budget week in the National Council, the budget accompanying law was passed on Monday. This ensures that the ORF will have more leeway in using funds from the ORF contribution from 2027 to 2029. However, the condition is that the public broadcasting company continues the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna (RSO) and the special interest channels ORF Sport+ and ORF III. Their future has repeatedly been debated in light of the need for savings. ORF head Roland Weißmann now sees the RSO secured for the coming years.
35 million euros more annually usable from revenue from household levy
The ORF contribution was frozen at 15.30 euros per household per month until 2029 as part of an ORF law amendment. The ORF may access a maximum of 710 million euros from revenue from the household levy. The budget accompanying law now provides some relaxation here. From 2027 to 2029, the ORF may use up to 35 million euros more per year from contribution revenue. In return, it is required to continue ORF Sport+ and ORF III until the end of 2029. The ORF must also provide the funds for the RSO by then. However, a subsidy of ten million euros for RSO and ORF Sport+ from the federal budget will be cut as early as 2026.
The special interest channels as well as the RSO have repeatedly been up for discussion in recent years, Weißmann recalled. This is now over for the time being. "They are secured for the next few years," said the ORF head on Tuesday in response to an APA inquiry and announced: "We will bring the RSO even more prominently into the program."
This seems to ensure that Markus Poschner will take over the position of RSO chief conductor from Marin Alsop at the start of the 2026/27 season. The ORF had emphasized several months ago that the German conductor would only take over if the existence and financing of the orchestra were secured.
Fewer funds for Wiener Zeitung GmbH
According to the budget accompanying law, the republic-owned Wiener Zeitung GmbH must also make do with fewer funds. The subsidies for 2025 and 2026 will be reduced by five million euros to 11.5 million euros. The resulting gap must be covered by the Wiener Zeitung GmbH from the company's assets.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.