ZDF boss Norbert Himmler, whose station was the most successful program among audiences across all age groups for the twelfth time in 2023, predicts upcoming program cuts and fewer orders from production companies if the broadcasting fee does not increase.
ZDF’s moderate financial registration for the broadcasting fee from 2025 already means a real loss for the station, said Himmler. On the television and production market, which supplies the commissioned productions for ZDF, there are “demonstrable cost increases of between ten and 15 percent”. ARD and ZDF had demanded an increase of between two and three percent for the new contribution. In addition, some federal states want to block the new broadcasting fee, which would mean an increase from 58 cents to 18.94 euros. Himmler is currently ruling out job cuts: “We have had a tough job cut.”