The Hessischer Rundfunk (HR) wants to reduce staff in the next few years. Director Florian Hager told the German Press Agency: “The number of jobs will be reduced.” He did not give an exact number or the period of time. The downsizing will be done in a socially responsible manner. There should be no layoffs. The broadcaster employs around 1,700 people, plus around 990 freelancers.
According to HR information, the downsizing and the changed working environment are accompanied by a reduction in the space required at the Frankfurt site. The broadcaster is currently examining various options up to and including the sale of real estate.
Austerity course in the public service
Like the entire ARD, Hessischer Rundfunk is in the midst of a transformation. Digital offers apart from TV or radio programs are becoming increasingly important. At the same time, public service broadcasters are encouraged to save – several Prime Ministers recently made it clear that they would not support an increase in the broadcasting fee, which is used to finance ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio.
The federal states set the amount of the contribution – currently 18.36 euros per month – in a state treaty, but must be based closely on a recommendation from a commission. The current contribution period expires at the end of 2024. ARD is currently looking for more synergies within the nine state broadcasters.
The Hessischer Rundfunk is one of the medium-sized ARD houses. In recent years, his tense financial situation has been an issue again and again. There was also a fear that the station would have to be financially supported by other ARD houses, as is the case with Saarländisches Rundfunk and Radio Bremen. So far this has not happened.
HR director: “We have to transform”
The proven digital expert Florian Hager has been HR Director for around a year. The 46-year-old said: “At the same time as we are shrinking, we have to transform ourselves.” He added: “We are coming from a time when the system was designed so that more money was available every year and when the offer profile was very stable – i.e. with a TV channel and radio channels with transmission slots. But we are now coming into a time when slots are becoming less important.”
He explained: “We are now trying to break down the silos that exist in the structure of the house. We want to build up more as a network structure. Broadcasting slots and channels are nothing more than silos.”
The demolition affects all areas of the house. With a view to the restructuring of content and the focus on the digital, new capacities would also be created at the same time. It will also be checked what can still be done in-house in the future, what can be purchased in cooperation with other public institutions and what can also be purchased as an external service. “That means we will shrink during this time and still have to create new jobs in order not only to attract younger people to HR, but also people with skills that we don’t have.”
Retirement provision a topic
Hager also said: “Our cost structure is very much characterized by fixed costs.” This is due to the fact that HR has aligned its organization to a structure of offers that remains the same through fixed broadcasting slots and channels.
Hager also addressed the topic of old-age provision, which is clearly reflected in the economic plans in public broadcasting: “We want to get the fixed costs down further. The burden of old-age provision is there, but it’s no longer increasing. These contracts, which are increasing carrying this load have not been offered for over 25 years.”
Hager also spoke in the dpa interview about the self-image of the house: “We have to think again about our role. We have clearly anchored in the media state treaty to contribute to opinion-forming and social cohesion.” Hager added: “And then I ask myself whether what we are currently doing is a contemporary translation or whether we are still in this world of slot logic.”
All areas of the station affected
The broadcaster boss said: “We have the task of being there for Hesse.” One is deeply rooted in Hessian society. “We make 70 percent of our reach via linear radio.” The director also referred to this: “I’m convinced the more we get into digital, the more present we have to be on site.”
Regarding the pressure for reform in public broadcasting, which has increased since the summer due to the crisis surrounding accusations of nepotism and waste at the ARD broadcaster Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB), Hager said: “HR can now play a certain pioneering role in the whole discussion .”
Because you are most clearly forced to make these changes and not just talk about them, he added with a view to your own financial situation. “We will see where we can work together even better, reduce redundancies and enter into partnerships.” This affects all areas such as the program, but also administration, technology and IT.
