The German public broadcaster ARD is considering scrapping one or all three of its digital thematic channels, according to a report in Die Zeit as part of cost controlling measures.
At the moment, ARD operates three digital channels, Eins Festival, Eins Plus and Eins Extra. The total costs of these channels, that mainly specialise in repeats of programming from ARD Das Erste, are believed to be between €3-4 million per year.
However, the broadcaster is not free to just stop a digital channel, as they operate under a licence from the German Laender (states), which have just issued the broadcaster with a three- year programme plan in which they outline the type of content they are supposed to broadcast.
