CEOInterviews.AINo excuses - the live talk with ARD program director Christine Strobl

H

Host0:17

Welcome to 'Ohne Ausrede', the live talk from Stimme TV. Our guest today is Christine Strobl, ARD Program Director. Thank you for coming. We have many reader questions. First question from Guido Rebstock: What was the most moving film you produced at Degeto?

C

Christine Strobl1:47

I can't name just one film. One of the most moving moments was the premiere of 'Babylon Berlin' at the Berliner Ensemble. The applause when we showed the first three episodes was incredibly emotional. That moment made me feel we had achieved what we wanted.

H

Host3:50

Is the structure of nine regional broadcasters still timely? For example, Saarländischer Rundfunk and Radio Bremen are very small—Heilbronn-Franken could be its own.

C

Christine Strobl4:06

Regional anchoring is our DNA. It's not our decision; it was set by the Allies after the war to prevent a strong central broadcaster. I believe it's a strength: we have correspondents worldwide and also know what moves people locally. We could not change it without legislation.

H

Host5:05

You have 55 radio programs, 16 orchestras, 8 choirs. There are calls for savings. Isn't there potential for savings in this rich offering?

C

Christine Strobl5:22

We do not decide which channels to offer; that is determined by laws and state contracts. The state treaty is currently being discussed. We would like more flexibility based on changing media use. We might not need some channels anymore and could focus more on digital.

H

Host6:29

Reader Stefan Hoheneder says ARD deserves its existence, but the third programs are unimaginative with repeated content. He suggests a sports channel, music channel for young people, or a nature film channel.

C

Christine Strobl7:12

I'm not directly responsible for the third programs, but we are offering documentary channels on YouTube and curating the media library. The ARD Mediathek is one of the best offers, especially for classical music concerts. We are working with Arte. We will add more themed collections like science.

H

Host8:35

The Tagesspiegel says you are moving at rocket speed in program reform. You changed 'Bericht aus Berlin' and 'Weltspiegel' to earlier times, and the sportschau slot moved. What are the first experiences? There was criticism initially.

C

Christine Strobl9:02

One of our greatest strengths is our correspondent network. The reform is about using their content beyond traditional magazines, also for documentaries and the media library. The synergy between 'Bericht aus Berlin' and 'Weltspiegel' has been wonderful: 75 minutes of national and international information. I am satisfied.

H

Host11:08

Frank Platzer from Hohenlohe says it's not okay to interrupt the program for press conferences. He wants to watch entertainment like 'Wer weiß denn so was' without interruption. Couldn't those press conferences be shown on Tagesschau24 or Phoenix?

C

Christine Strobl11:44

I understand the need for reliability. But during the pandemic we made over 30 special broadcasts. Equally many viewers complain when we do not interrupt for major events. For the Heidelberg school shooting, it was right to go live immediately. We handle it carefully.

H

Host13:01

Next steps: Sandra Maischberger twice a week, more comedy on Fridays. There's too little laughter on Das Erste.

C

Christine Strobl13:22

The idea is to handle investigative and political topics differently. Carolin Kebekus and Extra 3 show that comedy is more than just laughter; it creates awareness, especially among young people. We want to strengthen in-depth conversations. We also aim to complement ZDF, not compete.

H

Host15:30

Is the campfire TV experience over? Do we only have Tatort and football games as shared events?

C

Christine Strobl15:41

No, not at all. TV still has campfire character. Viewing time increased in 2021. But usage is changing; younger people use on-demand. We must be there without losing traditional TV. Over 80% use ARD daily.

H

Host17:01

Examples: 'Der Doktor und das liebe Vieh' and 'Das dünne Eis' air after midnight. That seems just to fulfil the requirement for the media library.

C

Christine Strobl18:02

Correct. Those are primarily for the media library. Because we are not allowed to make content online-only under current rules, we place them in the linear schedule at times when few watch. It's a valid observation.

H

Host19:07

Question from YouTube: When will public broadcasting become pay-TV like ZDF, and fees disappear?

C

Christine Strobl19:24

That will not happen. The Federal Constitutional Court reaffirmed the independent financing. In the US, media is controlled by billion-dollar corporations. Here in Germany, we value independent broadcasting funded by all, which is crucial for democracy.

H

Host20:42

Herr Simonis asks: How can it be that educational programs air at night or on Arte/3sat, while prime time is filled with crime shows like 'Kroatien-Krimi'?

C

Christine Strobl21:19

I disagree. On Monday at 8:15 pm we have a documentary by Felix Neureuther about the Olympics, followed by a talk on 'Hart aber fair'. That is education. We also have documentaries on important topics. But yes, at prime time we also need to offer content that appeals to many, as we are publicly funded.

H

Host22:50

Ulrich Wagner asks: What CO2 footprint do the huge media libraries create?

C

Christine Strobl23:02

A valid question. Streaming and energy consumption is something we must address. We are working on green production and reducing the ecological footprint.

H

Host23:54

New formats coming up: 'Generation es' about female athletes. What is it about?

C

Christine Strobl24:06

We are focusing on documentary series. 'Generation es' highlights female athletes, also under the aspect of diversity. There are many documentary series worth exploring in February.

H

Host24:52

There is a documentary about a football team in Saxony-Anhalt dealing with xenophobia, where the CDU wants to abolish ARD. A bold experiment.

C

Christine Strobl25:23

It is very touching. Sport should connect, but this team, mostly with migration background, faces hostility. They don't give up. That is a highlight for February.

H

Host25:50

Ingeborg Schäffner praises our sports coverage, especially Alpine skiing and Felix Neureuther, Bernd Schmelzer, Markus Hofmann. Then about Olympics and Helene Fischer being our Olympic chance.

C

Christine Strobl26:13

This year, for the first time, we can offer 500 hours of Olympic coverage in the media library. Curling fans can watch the entire competition. That is fantastic, especially for people in Swabia who cannot watch live.

H

Host27:08

Cortina is a problem. Our correspondent says the Games are a government event. How critically can we report on China in the context of the Olympics?

C

Christine Strobl27:37

Both belong together: the passion for sports and critical reporting on China's environmental destruction and restriction of press freedom. We will do both.

H

Host28:45

You have something investigative: a cooking show on Das Erste. In a time of few talk shows, that's surprising.

C

Christine Strobl28:57

During the pandemic, families cooked a lot. The show is 'Familien Kochduell', not a typical cooking show. Two families compete with four members each. They have a budget of 100 euros for the whole week, and they cook a starter and main course each day. It's about playful cooking with limited means. With Steffen Henssler. Starts end of February.

H

Host30:17

You have made unpopular decisions: canceling long-running series like 'Traumhotel' and 'Verrückt nach Meer'. There is even a petition. Now 'Rote Rosen' and 'Sturm der Liebe' might also end.

C

Christine Strobl30:47

We had no fee increase from 2009 to last year. Daily fictional series are expensive. We only have funding until next year for these series. We need to adjust. I prefer to focus on bringing new things.

H

Host31:53

A reader is concerned about increasingly brutal crime shows contributing to society's desensitization. Where is social responsibility?

C

Christine Strobl32:19

We take youth protection seriously. Violence must not be self-serving; it must be dramaturgically justified. I flinch when there is too much violence. We are careful with age ratings in the media library and show violent films only at certain times. It's part of the crime genre.

H

Host33:27

You are the inventor of Thursday crime series from various European countries. My favorite is from Brittany. But why no crime series set in Heilbronn? We already have Tatort in Mannheim and Stuttgart.

C

Christine Strobl33:54

The Thursday crime series was important. We moved eastwards with the Masurian crime. The diversity is great, including 'Nord bei Nordwest' and Usedom. Maybe Heilbronn could be considered in the future.

H

Host34:29

Back to 'Babylon Berlin'. It's a major project. Will it continue? Plans?

C

Christine Strobl35:11

I talked to a director yesterday. They are editing episodes 7 and 8. Filmed during COVID under difficult conditions. The first four episodes I've seen will be the best season. Great dance and music. It will probably air on ARD next year.

H

Host36:46

How does Christine Strobl commute to Munich daily? A reader is worried.

C

Christine Strobl37:13

I am not daily; I spend several nights in Munich. My work is federal, meetings all over Germany. I enjoy coming to Heilbronn on Fridays. During COVID, I work from the office more.

H

Host37:52

My assistant wanted to know: Is an ARD Program Director allowed to watch 'Der Bergdoktor' in the second?

C

Christine Strobl38:10

Yes, I must and I do. I have great respect for that show. But I was pleased that on the first Thursdays we were more successful than 'Der Bergdoktor': 6.5 million to 6.1 million. It shows the bond that public broadcasting has.

H

Host38:52

Thank you, Christine Strobl. Next week we have Audi plant manager Fred Schulze. Stay informed. Goodbye.