My Impression of Bayerische Rundfund

Founded in 1929, BR has lived through Germany’s most turbulent times, from Nazi control in 1933 to its rebirth as a public broadcaster in 1949.

What interested me most was the idea of independence through public support. Our guide repeated several times that BR is not a government institution. Every German household pays around twenty euros a month, “not a tax, but a fee” as the guide said, to fund broadcasters like BR. The money never flows through the government. Instead, an independent commission called KEF reviews spending every five years. This system ensures that BR can remain free from political influence while also being responsible for how it uses public money. However, I’m not sure whether the system can completely make media run in a German “democratic” way. Anyway, the 16 commisioners in KEF responsible for supervision of the radiofee use are directly appointed by state governers.

Before visiting BR, I had often seen “BR24” on the screens in U-Bahn stations, never realizing where the news came from. Now, standing in the newsroom, I could picture the journalists behind those headlines, people working across TV, radio, and digital platforms with impressive flexibility. the focus seemed to be on informative and balanced coverage. I found it meaningful that people are willing to pay for such an institution out of a sense of civic responsibility.

BR has five main branches, namely BR1, BR2, BR Klassik, BR Heimat, and BR24, serving diverse audiences across Bavaria and beyond. The guide told us they could switch between working for TV, radio, or online news depending on the day. Their flexibility felt modern and inspiring.

I was also curious about how new technologies like AI were being used. BR doesn’t see AI as a threat, but as a helper. Repetitive tasks like transcribing or sorting information are handled by AI, leaving journalists more time for creativity. This practical, balanced approach reflected the broader German attitude I observed during my stay: technology should serve people, not replace us.

It was interesting to see how a traditional broadcaster actively embraces online formats without losing its public-service mission. The integration of radio, television, and digital workspaces revealed how German media institutions adapt to new trends rather than resist them.