MDR faces €60 million in new cuts after blocked broadcasting fee hike
Central German Broadcasting (MDR) faces further multi-million euro cuts after a planned fee increase was blocked. The broadcaster had already prepared for a rise in funding, but political opposition left the proposal in limbo. Now, deeper reductions are on the table to balance the budget.
The Expert Commission on Broadcasting Financing (KEF) first suggested raising the monthly household fee from €18.36 to €18.94 by 2025. However, several federal states refused to approve the increase, forcing the KEF to revise its recommendation downward to €18.64. Even this adjusted figure failed to gain support, leaving MDR without the expected extra revenue.
ARD and ZDF responded by filing constitutional complaints over the rejected fee hike. Meanwhile, MDR had already launched a €160 million savings plan based on the original proposal. With no increase now in sight, the broadcaster must find another €60 million in cuts.
To address the shortfall, MDR will scale back certain operations and shift resources toward existing and new formats. The strategy includes programme reductions, internal cost-cutting, and a push for more interactive content. If the fee eventually rises to €18.64 in 2027, MDR will still need to save an additional €30 million by the end of 2028.
The blocked fee increase leaves MDR with tough financial choices ahead. Without extra funding, the broadcaster must trim spending while trying to maintain its output. The outcome will depend on whether future negotiations secure a higher fee or force even deeper cuts.
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