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ARD celebrates 75 years: A look at the success story from Bremen!
Find out how Radio Bremen, as the founding institution of ARD, contributes to the development of public broadcasting.
ARD celebrates 75 years: A look at the success story from Bremen!
On June 25, 2025 the ARD, the association of public broadcasters in the Federal Republic of Germany, can look back on an impressive 75 years of existence. It is a remarkable anniversary that commemorates its founding during the historical phase from June 9th to August 5th, 1950 in Bremen. In addition to Radio Bremen, five other founding institutions were involved, including NWDR, BR, HR, SDR and SWF. The official founding statutes came into force on July 26, 1950, and the first constitutive meeting of the directors took place in Munich on August 5, 1950.
ARD revolutionized the media landscape in Germany not only by creating a unified television. A joint television program was decided on as early as January 1952, which finally launched on December 25, 1952 as “German Television”. Another turning point came on June 1, 1961, when ARD broadcast a second television program in which all nine state broadcasters were involved. These steps made it clear that public broadcasting relied on cooperation and diversity from the start.
A model with tradition
Public broadcasting in Germany consists of nine ARD state broadcasters, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. These channels manage themselves, which ensures independent opinion formation. This structure was created specifically to avoid propaganda that was prevalent during the Nazi era. The Bpb emphasizes that public broadcasting was reorganized, particularly after the Second World War, inspired by the British model. From 1946 onwards, German officials took over the broadcasters, marking the birth of the ARD system.
Public broadcasting is financed primarily through broadcasting contributions, which ensures significant independence compared to private broadcasters. The broadcasting fee is currently 18.36 euros per apartment, regardless of the number of residents or receiving devices. According to the latest figures from... Bpb The total income from these contributions in 2023 will be over 9 billion euros.
Challenges and reforms
While trust in public broadcasting has recently fallen to 55 percent, the RBB scandal is encouraging discussion about reforms and the revision of control structures. The planned measures include a reduction in radio waves and a stronger focus on digital formats. A modernization that, according to the Bpb was agreed in the Reform State Treaty of 2024 and is due to come into force in 2025.
Public broadcasting has the mandate to freely form opinions and is subject to the requirement of remoteness from the state. This independent structure was necessary to ensure a reliable basic supply in the media system. Public broadcasting provides information, education, entertainment and culture and thus appeals to a wide range of social groups.
In conclusion, it can be said that ARD, as one of the pioneers in German broadcasting, has not only consolidated its structures over the last 75 years, but has also always responded to changes. Fierce debates about their place and funding continue to be held - in the spirit of independence and diversity.