[Medianext.MX]

In Germany, the 2 main public broadcasting stations (ARD and ZDF) are expanding the lunchtime news magazine programme, 'Mittagsmagazin' by 2 hours from 2024

For anyone who can't understand German, a summary:


[*]The new format will see the Mittagsmagazin to move to 12pm two accommodate the two-hour format
[*]RBB will stop producing the ARD version of the show due to the crisis affecting the public broadcasting system in Germany, more on that later. From January, MDR will produce the show from its headquarters in Leipzig.
[*]The new format retains the alternating week scheme, but more collaboration between both broadcasters is expected
[*]The show will be more reliant on regional news and issues, with increased emphasis on environment topics


According to DWDL, the reason RBB is stopping production is due to the aftermath of the scandals affecting the Berlin broadcaster: summarised, former Director General Patricia Schlesinger, a former well-known ARD foreign correspondent, and who championed the move of the ARD Mima to Berlin, was asked to step down for reportedly using public funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle and the controversial allocation of consultancy contracts. This has led to acting DG Katrin Vernau to start heavy budget cuts and a culture change to improve the broadcaster's reputation, including the cancellation of the construction of new headquarters in downtown Berlin. Ulrike Demmer is set to succeed Vernau in September.

www.dwdl.de 

The story of the scandal summarised by DW:

www.dw.com 

---

From Tera, a compilation of intros from Norway, featuring both NRK and TV 2's news programming (evening news from both broadcasters, plus NRK's regional news, radio simulcasts, Sámi news, signed news and kids newsmagazine Supernytt):

www.youtube.com