ORF seeks dialogue with cultural and sports partners

The Austrian public broadcaster ORF is initiating a comprehensive dialogue process with its partners in the sports and culture sectors. This move comes as the broadcaster faces a requirement to save approximately 30 million euros by 2027.

Representatives from various organizations, including the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB), the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV), and the Wiener Symphoniker, expressed the importance of the ORF to their respective fields. Clemens Pig, the designated ORF Director-General, emphasized the need for a “bolder program” to maintain relevance and create “campfire moments” where audiences gather collectively.

The broadcaster currently invests around 120 million euros annually in cultural content, which accounts for 19 percent of its television programming. Partners noted that the ORF plays a vital role in promoting cultural heritage and supporting the development of sports such as women's football.