Business · Economy · 8 hrs ago
Bavarian public broadcaster faces €106.4 million shortfall by 2028
Bavarian public broadcaster BR could run a €106.4 million deficit by the end of 2028, according to the state audit office.
The office examined the broadcaster’s finances from 2020 to 2024 and said BR had been in a balance-sheet deficit throughout that period.
BR had €226.4 million in financial reserves at the end of 2024, but the audit office expects those reserves to be used up by 2028.
The audit office is calling for more savings and a deeper restructuring of the broadcaster.
BR says its “BR Compass 2035” plan will cut costs and change how the organisation works, including leaving one in three jobs unfilled by 2030.
The broadcaster also faces a €512.8 million shortfall in assets set aside for staff pensions, which it links mainly to older pension commitments.
BR says it will keep reducing staff and costs, while the audit office also recommends more cooperation with other regional broadcasters and more efficient structures.
A Bavarian state audit report says Bayerischer Rundfunk could face a €106.4 million shortfall by the end of 2028.
The Bavarian Supreme Audit Institution says the broadcaster needs further savings and a thorough restructuring.
Bayerischer Rundfunk points to reforms already under way and says it will reduce staffing.
The report says the broadcaster’s €226.4 million in financial resources at the end of 2024 came from special reserves, which are projected to be exhausted by the end of 2028.
It also identifies a €512.8 million shortfall in assets set aside to cover occupational pensions.
- Who
- Bayerischer Rundfunk, the Bavarian public broadcaster, and the Bavarian Supreme Audit Institution.
- What
- An audit report projects a €106.4 million shortfall for the broadcaster by the end of 2028 and calls for further savings.
- When
- The report was published on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. It examined the broadcaster’s finances from 2020 to 2024.
- Where
- Bavaria, Germany.
- Why
- The broadcaster faces financial pressure, and its special reserves are projected to run out by the end of 2028.
Bavarian Supreme Audit Institution
Bayerischer Rundfunk
Savings and restructuring
Bavarian Supreme Audit Institution
The audit institution calls for further staff cuts, more cooperation with other regional broadcasters and more efficient structures.
Bayerischer Rundfunk
The broadcaster says reforms are already under way, including restructuring and plans not to refill one in three positions by 2030.
Financial outlook
Bavarian Supreme Audit Institution
The report says reserves will be exhausted by the end of 2028 and that the broadcaster was balance-sheet over-indebted throughout the review period.
Bayerischer Rundfunk
The broadcaster says the wider financial situation is difficult, citing rising costs and investment needs.
Bavaria Film distributions
Bavarian Supreme Audit Institution
The audit institution says profits were distributed at unchanged levels despite repeated declines in group results, partly funded by property sales.
Bayerischer Rundfunk
The broadcaster says Bavaria Film had regularly achieved stable, market-rate returns, with a loss only in 2024/25.
The audit report examined Bayerischer Rundfunk’s financial position during this period.
The broadcaster had €226.4 million in financial resources, drawn from special reserves.
The Bavarian Supreme Audit Institution’s report was published.
The report projects a €106.4 million shortfall and says the reserves will be exhausted.
Bayerischer Rundfunk plans not to refill one in three positions.
- Projected shortfall
- €106.4 million by the end of 2028
- Reserves at end of 2024
- €226.4 million
- Pension funding gap
- €512.8 million
- Report review period
- 2020–2024
- Staffing plan
- One in three positions not to be refilled by 2030
What people are saying
We are reducing structures and fixed costs, cutting staff and pooling tasks within ARD.
long-term obligations from legacy occupational pension contracts
continuously over-indebted on the balance sheet