Vienna, 27 May 2026

ORF Director General Ingrid Thurnher warned on Tuesday that the government's plan to cut 85 million euros in federal compensation is shaking the public broadcaster to its foundations and will force painful cuts.

What's new since 27 May 2026

The cut, which would take effect as early as the turn of the year, was described by Thurnher as a step that "is in a dimension and short-term nature that shakes the foundations." She made the remarks during an event honoring journalists of the year at the ORF Center on Tuesday evening.

The 85 million euros represent a federal compensation payment that the government now intends to eliminate as part of budget consolidation. The move comes on top of an existing savings package that already requires the ORF to cut 54 million euros in 2027 alone, because the household levy has been effectively frozen at 15.30 euros.

Thurnher stressed that the core of the public-service mandate — "independent, high-quality information" — must remain taboo. "The ORF is not a political football," she said, adding that "the ORF belongs to the audience."

A Funding Gap That Shakes the Foundations

ORF Foundation Board Chairman Heinz Lederer acknowledged the difficult targets but said, "We must do our part and cut our coat according to our cloth." He told the APA that all areas would have to be burdened equally.

The financial pressure is so severe that trimming the 60 top salaries on the transparency list — all above 170,000 euros gross — will not be enough. A reserve account of 30 million euros can only cushion the first year of measures.

According to reports, the outgoing ORF leadership will have to trigger a wave of redundancies. Between 300 and 400 jobs are expected to be at risk. Thurnher confirmed that further program cuts for the audience will be necessary.

Thurnher Steps Aside Ahead of Job Cuts

Thurnher announced on Thursday morning that she will not seek a second term as Director General from 2027 to 2031. In a message to the 4,000 employees, she said she needed "free hands" for "decisions that may hurt" and "decisions that will provoke resistance."

"The decision not to apply for another term brings a certain freedom: I don't have to play tactics, I don't have to do what is opportune," she wrote. The application deadline for the general directorship from 2027 ends at midnight.

Candidates who have already applied include former ProSiebenSat1 board member Markus Breitenecker, ORF magazine chief Lisa Totzauer, and management consultant and entrepreneur Ernst Primosch.

Thurnher pledged to push through the promised transparency and accountability review. "What still needs to be done will not be easy. But I will stick to what I promised when I took office," she said.

Leadership Race and Political Pressure

She described her decision not to run again as "a great advantage" in the current situation, saying she had taken on responsibility in a difficult phase and that "absolute independence" was now the prerequisite for her work.

Regarding the election of the new Director General on June 11, Thurnher said she expected the Foundation Board to be aware of its special responsibility and to make a decision in the interest of the audience and a strong ORF. She also appealed to politicians to "hold back with interjections."

"The ORF is not the plaything of politics and it does not belong to politics," she emphasized. "It belongs to the people, it belongs to the audience, and decisions should be made in that spirit."

The government plans to cut the annual federal grant of 70 to 90 million euros from 2027. The ORF Act fixes the household contribution at 15.30 euros until 2029. The broadcaster has annual revenues of around 1.1 billion euros, most of which comes from license fees.

Legal Options and Program Cuts

One possible response to the 85-million-euro cut is to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Critics argue that the ÖVP's plan is unlikely to comply with EU requirements for "adequate, sustainable and predictable financial resources."

Potential program cuts include the obligation to maintain the Radio Symphony Orchestra — prominently featured at the Eurovision Song Contest — which expires in 2026, as does the satellite distribution of ORF Sport+. Both were conditions for the federal compensation.

Separately, Thurnher addressed allegations concerning ORF III. Recent reports in the "Standard" newspaper raised questions about paid reporting. Thurnher stated clearly: "Programming on ORF is not for sale." She said all allegations are being investigated "very closely."

ORF III Allegations Under Investigation

Over a year ago, around 60 employees testified in an investigation into allegations about the management style of ORF III managing director Peter Schöber, including bullying and influence on editorial coverage. The ORF III workforce has called for the investigation to be concluded quickly and for appropriate measures to be taken.

A statement from the ORF III staff said the channel is "the subject of negative media coverage that massively damages the entire reputation of the channel brand, the ORF as a whole, and the work of the employees." They appealed for a swift resolution to restore a professional and respectful working environment.

Thurnher said she would implement the recommendations where decisions fall under her responsibility as Director General. She plans to convene a planning summit in the summer with the newly appointed ORF chief from 2027 to work out how the additional necessary savings can be achieved from next year.