How are public broadcasting corporations addressing the challenges posed by new competitors and changing attention spans? How does the situation in Germany compare to that in other European countries? Magdalena Stratmann conducted a comprehensive research project on these questions for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The project includes a report on the state of public service broadcasting in Germany, as well as four studies. Each study has a different thematic focus, such as organizational structure, funding, or digitization, and compares the state of public service broadcasting systems in seven European countries: Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
The high usage figures for the ARD and ZDF media libraries demonstrate the continued relevance of public broadcasting services in to
day’s digital marketplace. In light of the evolving landscape, collaborations with other media organizations committed to the public good, as well as the development of their digital infrastructures, should be encouraged. Digital engagement formats and expanded participatory offerings could open public service broadcasting to society, strengthening its social roots in the long term.
A cross-country comparison shows that public service broadcasting in Europe rests on very different institutional and structural foundations, ranging from highly centralized models to highly diversified systems. Their legal frameworks, mission statements, and internal and external governance structures also differ significantly. Nevertheless, common elements can be identified in their missions. These services aim to provide independent and diverse information, promote culture and education, and contribute to social cohesion.
Public Service Broadcasting Is Under Pressure Across Europe
In all of the countries that were studied, the political independence of public service media is under increasing pressure due to formal or informal political or state influence. Although the extent varies, there are recurring structural patterns. The cumulative effect of institutional ties between public service broadcasters and political actors creates an environment in which political actors can directly or indirectly influence editorial decisions. This is particularly evident in countries such as Italy, Poland, and France.
This is particularly relevant because the decision-making structures governing the use of funding are as crucial as the amount of funding itself for the independence of public broadcasting. When parliaments or governments directly and temporarily decide on budgets, license fees, or the allocation of funds, structural dependencies arise that foster political pressure. Models with multi-year funding that is decoupled from the state budget and has clearly defined adjustment mechanisms, such as in Sweden, offer stronger institutional safeguards.
Public trust is a key strength of public service broadcasters across all countries — but only where editorial independence is credibly ensured and institutional legitimacy has not been politically undermined. However, trust alone is not enough to guarantee long-term societal relevance. Public broadcasting corporations must visibly translate their public mandates into digital environments, clearly position their brands on third-party platforms, build alternative digital infrastructures that benefit the public, and utilize new technologies, such as AI, in accordance with their missions.
The Report:
Stratmann, Magdalena (2026): Herausforderungen und Chancen: Der deutsche ÖRR in Zeiten von Plattformen und KI [Challenges and Opportunities: German Public Broadcasting Corporations in the Age of Streaming Platforms and AI]. Bonn: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V. https://collections.fes.de/publikationen/id/1985169
The Four Studies:
Stratmann, Magdalena (2026): Institutionelle Grundlagen. Öffentlich-rechtlicher Rundfunk in Europa [Institutional Foundations. Public Service Broadcasting in Europe]. Bonn: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V. https://collections.fes.de/urn/urn:nbn:de:bo133-2-237197
Stratmann, Magdalena (2026): Politische Unabhängigkeit: Einflussmechanismen und Gegenkräfte. Öffentlich-rechtlicher Rundfunk in Europa [Political Independence: Mechanisms of Influence and Dounterforces. Public Service Broadcasting in Europe]. Bonn: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V. https://collections.fes.de/urn/urn:nbn:de:bo133-2-237208
Stratmann, Magdalena (2026): Finanzierungsmodelle und ökonomische Herausforderungen. Öffentlich-rechtlicher Rundfunk in Europa [Financing Models and Economic Challenges: Public Service Broadcasting in Europe]. Bonn: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V. https://collections.fes.de/urn/urn:nbn:de:bo133-2-237186
Stratmann, Magdalena (2026): Wettbewerb und digitale Transformation. Öffentlich-rechtlicher Rundfunk in Europa [Competition and Digital Transformation: Public Service Broadcasting in Europe]. Bonn: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V. https://collections.fes.de/urn/urn:nbn:de:bo133-2-237213