Overview
- WDR announced on Friday that it will discontinue 76 named linear and digital offerings by the end of 2027 as the first concrete step in a plan to halve its programme portfolio by 2030.
- High‑profile changes include ending the long‑running magazine Frau TV and moving series such as Erlebnis Erde from linear broadcast to online‑only distribution.
- The broadcaster will not refill one in three positions that become vacant through retirement, a reduction the WDR says will remove about 133 roles by 2030 and will reduce commissions for freelance contributors.
- WDR plans wider organisational change by shifting roughly 20% of classical production roles into technology functions, centralising production and administration, increasing use of external producers, and cutting about 100,000 square metres of office and studio space by end‑2028.
- The trade union ver.di has sharply criticised the package for weakening regional media plurality and staff rights, and the WDR says further programme decisions will be taken in spring 2027 under continued pressure from static contribution income and changing audience habits.