Theodor Heuss Platz, broadcasting station of the RBB Photo: Picture alliance / POP-EYE
By Stephen Peter
Will RBB be dissolved after Patricia Schlesinger (61) leaves? Other ARD stations are demanding that the station be deprived of its independence.
The respected “Handelsblatt” reports on these plans. Accordingly, the MDR would take over responsibility for Brandenburg, and the NDR would then take Berlin under its wing.
“Abendschau” and “Brandenburg aktuell” would continue to exist, but no third program of their own (with mostly lousy ratings). However: the other broadcasters cannot simply decide on the dissolution of the RBB.
There is currently no support for such plans in politics. “Absurd”, says Antje Kapek (45, Greens) to the BZ and Melanie Kühnemann-Grunow (49, SPD) emphasizes: “Berlin-Brandenburg as a capital region with 6.2 million inhabitants urgently needs its own public broadcaster.”
FDP politician Stefan Förster (41), on the other hand, can get something out of the idea: “With a joint third program with NDR or MDR, you can save a lot of money and relieve the broadcaster.”
Ronald Gläser (49, AfD): “The RBB as an East-West institution is important for growing together.” According to Gläser, massive savings efforts are better: “Cut jobs and streamline everything.”
Alexander King (53, Linke) warns: “Breaking up the RBB would probably lead to weakening the anchoring and interest of Berliners and Brandenburgers in their station.”