Ulrike Demmer: RBB under pressure - rescue plan or abyss?

Ulrike Demmer: RBB under pressure - rescue plan or abyss?

Prenzlau, Deutschland - The challenge position of Ulrike Demmer as the new director of the Berlin-Brandenburg broadcaster (RBB) could not be more exciting. Once under the magnifying glass, Demmer is faced with an enormous task: the RBB has been severely discredited in public in recent years due to internal scandals and a severe loss of trust. As reported, the broadcaster is faced with the task of saving 22 million euros and at the same time regaining the trust of the workforce and viewers reported the time .

In the past few months, the RBB has not only lost the trust of its followers, but is also faced with financial challenges. Planned savings have to be implemented rigorously, which, among other things, means that the production of fictional formats such as films and series in the coming year is largely suspended - with the exception of established formats such as "crime scene" and "police call" reports the world .

The real estate strategy

Another important step that Demmer has announced is the planned sale of the RBB high-rise. The maintenance of existing buildings, which continue to incur costs due to monument protection reasons, is considered too high. Additional costs of 12 million euros per year are expected from 2025. The focus is therefore no longer on real estate, but on the program design. The goal? The modernization of the RBB and the ensuring of a high-quality journalistic work so the information .

Demmer describes the current situation of the RBB as still in the state of emergency and sees it as its responsibility to stabilize the structure of the transmitter. There are also internal conflicts, such as the yellow hair case, which make the reform intentions more difficult. However, the moderator is optimistic and tries to include the workforce in the reform process by organizing public events-so recently in Prenzlau to promote dialogue with the population mentioned here .

the look into the future

On a broader spectrum, the question also arises in relation to the more efficient design of public service broadcasting. In this context, nationwide reforms are planned to adapt numerous state contracts. These reforms are spurred on by the scandals at various ARD radio stations and are to come into force in the summer of 2025 reports .

The challenges for the RBB are clear: it is about financial stability, the recovery of trust and a future -proof program design. With innovative ideas, such as a Tikok format for young people, Demmer wants to modernize the broadcaster and increase its attractiveness. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen which concrete measures are taken and how the situation will develop by the end of 2028, since the RBB has to deal with a forecast deficit of 7.8 million euros communicated by the world .