MDR Director-General Ludwig defends budget cuts and infrastructure spending

MDR Director-General Ralf Ludwig has defended significant austerity measures at Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, citing the need to save an additional 30 million euros on top of a planned 160 million euro reduction by the end of 2028. As a result of these cuts, the broadcaster is suspending new productions for series such as ‘Tatort’ and ‘Polizeiruf 110’ for three years.

Ludwig also criticized the current infrastructure costs, specifically describing the ongoing 15 million euro renovation of the MDR media house in Halle as a “ball and chain.” He noted that the project, which includes high annual operating costs, is largely redundant because necessary technical facilities already exist in Magdeburg. He proposed reducing the number of required locations to one per state to redirect funds from infrastructure into programming.

Furthermore, Ludwig warned of potential risks to broadcasting stability if the AfD were to lead a state government and terminate broadcasting treaties, stating he would pursue legal action to defend the institution's existence.