Frankfurt/Main (dpa/lhe) - Hessischer Rundfunk (HR) is assuming a deficit of around 44 million euros for next year - and, according to the director, wants to completely reposition itself. On Friday, the HR Broadcasting Council unanimously approved the 2023 budget presented by director Florian Hager, as the public broadcaster announced. Expenses of 597 million euros are planned for the coming year. This would be offset by income of almost 553 million euros. A declining interest rate level is assumed. "This results in a deficit of around 44 million euros under commercial law due to the provisions for old-age provision," the ARD broadcaster said.
According to director Hager, HR has to be completely reorganized in order to continue to be able to fulfill its mission in the future: "In the next ten years we will see digital catch up with linear media use. In addition, our available resources will actually decrease due to inflation and price increases ." Accordingly, HR will be smaller, especially in the linear program, and thus more flexible overall. "In order for this to work well, we look at the internal organizational structure and budget distribution and in the future we will focus even more on the needs and demands of our audience," explained Hager. The HR offers must remain relevant for the people in Hesse: "In the end, that is our most important legitimation."
The Chairman of the Broadcasting Council, Rolf Müller, emphasized: "In recent years, digitization and changed media use have received such a big boost with Corona, the change has accelerated so significantly that you have to consciously pause and look back to see the changes that have already been made in the to appreciate HR." HR is already working across media with a stronger digital orientation. It is important to continue these changes. "The HR committees will continue to support this in the interests of all contributors," added Müller.
