MDR Locks in Pay Freeze, Offers Freelancer Compensation as Germany Awaits Broadcasting Fee Ruling
17.06.2026 - 23:22:51 | boerse-global.de
Germany's public broadcaster Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) has sealed a collective pay agreement that includes a zero salary increase for 2026, reflecting strained finances that stem from a blocked hike in the mandatory broadcasting fee. The deal, approved by MDR's administrative board, comes days before a ruling from the Federal Constitutional Court on the stalled fee increase — a decision that could reshape the broadcaster's financial outlook.
The agreement, reached after five rounds of negotiations with unions DJV, ver.di, and Unisono, covers the period from January 1 to December 31, 2026. The unions had originally demanded a 7 percent pay rise, but MDR's management rejected the figure, pointing to dire budget constraints. Without the fee increase recommended by the KEF — the independent commission that sets the amount — the broadcaster faces an annual shortfall of roughly €20 million in both 2025 and 2026. On top of that, MDR is executing a sweeping €160 million cost-saving program running from 2025 through 2028.
Despite the pay freeze, the deal guarantees certain protections. MDR has committed to no compulsory redundancies for operational reasons until October 31, 2026. Any layoffs announced after that date could only take effect from April 1, 2027 at the earliest.
Freelancers who lose income because of program cuts will receive a compensatory payment. The sliding scale depends on years of service: those with 20 years or more get 90 percent of the shortfall, freelancers with 10 to 19 years receive 85 percent, and those with 1 to 9 years get 80 percent. Eligible parties must submit claims between April 1 and June 30, 2027. Disputes will be handled by a joint commission with equal representation from both sides.
The belt-tightening is already reshaping MDR's schedule. Program director Boris Lochthofen confirmed that prestigious shows such as the crime series "Tatort" and "Polizeiruf 110" will take a temporary pause. He explained that concentrating cuts on a few high-cost formats was preferable to spreading the €20 million saving target thinly across all editorial departments. Starting in 2027, the station will pivot toward reality-based formats for ARD's Mediathek.
Longer-term demographic trends compound the pressure. With the exception of Leipzig, eastern Germany is experiencing significant population decline — a factor MDR says it must factor into its strategic planning for the public broadcasting service.
