“The TV Slovenia news programme is in a serious crisis. Most shows’ view count has been declining for years; the news shows Dnevnik and Odmevi alone have lost as many as 250 thousand or half of their once loyal viewers since 2003. That is why we decided to change the programme, and we followed the example of the most successful public televisions, such as the BBC, ZDF, and ORF,” the acting director of the National Television of Slovenia, Dr Valentin Areh, commented on the protest of the staff of the TV Slovenia news programme.
On Thursday, a press conference by the staff of the TV Slovenia news programme was held in front of the building of TV Slovenia. Namely, the staff oppose the proposal of the Programme-Production Plan for next year. In his response, acting director of Television Slovenia, Dr Valentin Areh, emphasised that in the preparation of the Programme-Production Plan 2022, the interest of viewers was the main priority.
In a press release, Areh emphasised that the general management of RTV Slovenia followed the example of other successful public television stations, such as BBC, ZDF, and ORF, when preparing the proposal for the Programme-Production Plan for next year.
Viewers are leaving; a reorganisation is needed
“The TV Slovenia news programme is in a serious crisis. Most shows’ view count has been declining for years; the news shows Dnevnik and Odmevi alone have lost as many as 250 thousand or half of their once loyal viewers since 2003. That is why we decided to change the programme, and we followed the example of the most successful public televisions, such as the BBC, ZDF, and ORF. We are sorry that some of the employees of TV Slovenia oppose all the proposed changes and that at the last meeting, they even demanded that, despite the drastic drop in ratings, nothing should be changed. So, on the one hand, we are losing tons of viewers, while on the other hand, they are urging us not to take action. We do not agree with this and believe that we are obliged to take into account the wishes and interests of viewers who finance our programme as taxpayers,” Areh wrote in a press release.
On Monday, the 20th of November 2021, the Programme Council of RTV Slovenia will discuss and decide on the proposal of the Programme-Production Plan for 2022. The proposal of this key document will be approved if at least 15 programme councillors vote for it.
Sara Kovač
