SWR Board of Directors deals with the consequences of the KEF report

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The Board of Directors of the Südwestrundfunk (SWR) dealt with the first consequences of the 24th KEF report on February 23, 2024, which was presented in Berlin on the same day. The chairman of the supervisory committee, Hans-Albert Stechl, emphasized that the SWR will face financial challenges for the new contribution period from 2025 due to the reduction in the registration of the ARD. The Board of Directors will intensively accompany the efforts resulting from the report.

Already in budget planning for the current year, the SWR set the course early in order to cope with a contribution adjustment under registration if necessary. The budget for 2024 provides for zero increases in all types of expenditure and contain close cooperation between the two previously independent waves of SWR4 and the shift in technical or structural investments. In view of a recommended increase in the monthly broadcasting contribution by 58 cents, which corresponds to an annual increase of only 0.8 percent, the SWR must now take measures to compensate for the progressive loss of purchasing power.

The Board of Directors calls for further savings measures because the proposed contribution adjustment cannot compensate for the ubiquitous cost increases. Inflation meets broadcasters as well as all other companies. The management was asked to make suggestions for further savings for the next meeting in April.

At the same time, the board of directors appeals to the federal states to quickly carry out the further procedures taking into account the legal regulations and the case law of the Federal Constitutional Court in order to give the transmitters at least in this difficult Situation.

At the meeting, Dietmar Muscheid was elected deputy chairman of the board of directors. This position has been vacant since the end of November after the previous incumbent Heike Raab resigned. Muscheid has many years of experience in the supervisory bodies of the SWR.

The Board of Directors of the SWR consists of 18 members, ten of whom are elected by the Radio Council, six are sent by the state parliament and state governments of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate and two members come from the staff council. The term is five years.

Table: Information on the Board of Directors of the Südwestrundfunk

| Members | Selection |
| - | - |
| 10 | Chosen by the round funcate |
| 6 | From the state parliament and state governments of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate | 2 | Posted by the staff council |
| Time | 5 years |
| Chairman and deputy chairman | Chosen for 30 months |

The SWR Board of Directors calls for further savings due to the cuts in the 24th KEF report. The broadcaster faces financial challenges and has to compensate for the loss of purchasing power. The Board of Directors appeals to the countries to carry out the procedure quickly to ensure planning security. Dietmar Muscheid was elected deputy chairman at the meeting.


Source: SWR Gremien/OTS