DR to close more channels

Danish public broadcaster DR is having to cut its portfolio of TV channels down from six to three as a result of budget cuts imposed by the Danish government.

The channels that will be going online-only by 2020 are DR Ultra, whose online move has been in the pipeline since 2016, and DR3, while cultural channel DRK will merge with DR2.

The changes at the pubcaster, which also include the closure of three radio channels, are due to 20% budget cuts imposed by the government and will also result in around 400 positions being axed.

Noel Curran

European Broadcasting Union director general Noel Curran said: “We are deeply concerned by the budget cuts that have forced DR to announce the closure of a significant number of public media services.

“DR is hugely valued by audiences in Denmark and has built among the highest market share and weekly reach of all public service media organisations in Europe,” he added.

“The 20% budget cuts imposed on DR will undoubtedly impact its ability as a national broadcaster to offer the same wide range of output to audiences across Denmark.”

The cuts come after Denmark became the first European country to scrap mandatory fees for public broadcasters earlier this year. The licence fee will be phased out over a five-year period beginning in January 2019, with the public broadcaster instead set to be financed through taxes.