Dutch Public Broadcasters Working on "Worst Case" Funding Scenarios
Posted on: Thursday, 29 September 2005, 12:00 CDT
Text of report in English by Radio Netherlands website on 28 September
Harm Bruins Slot, chairman of the board of management of Dutch public broadcasting, told the annual Broadcasting Congress in Bussum this morning that he and colleagues are working on "worst case scenarios" based on the government's proposals to cut funding. One of the options being studied is reducing the TV network from three to two channels. One or more of the five national radio channels might also have to go.
Bruins Slot said that the Netherlands is the most competitive TV and radio market in Europe, and competition has been further increased with the launch of Talpa TV. Income from advertising is in a downward spiral and by 2008 there could be a budget shortfall of 100m euro.
Deputy Minister for Culture and the Media Medy van der Laan, who is attending today's Congress, says that a reduction in the number of networks is not something the cabinet seeks. Under the media law, three public TV networks must remain until 2008 and the board of management must make its suggestions for future changes known to the government. Essentially, she said, it's up to the broadcasters to decide how to cope with falling income, for example by closer collaboration and making strategic choices.
Source: BBC Monitoring European
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