In the Schlesinger affair, the whole of ARD is increasingly taking center stage. How much do managers earn in the individual institutions?
Frankfurt – The Schlesinger case has caused massive criticism. After Patricia Schlesinger resigned as head of the ARD broadcaster Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) due to numerous allegations of nepotism, the RBB broadcasting council had recalled Schlesinger as director.
Since then, the directors of ARD and ZDF in particular have been under closer scrutiny. WDR director Tom Buhrow, who took over the business at the top of the ARD, told the German Press Agency: “We are checking whether the supervisory offices are adequately equipped throughout the ARD.” In view of the sums that are in the Schlesinger affair come to light again and again, the question arises how much do directors actually earn at ARD?
ARD: How much do directors of public broadcasters earn?
A look at the list on the ARD website shows that the salaries for directors within the broadcasters vary greatly. The ARD answers the question why artistic directors and other executives have higher salaries than the collectively paid employees with the words:
Due to their function and tasks, the members of the management (i.e. the artistic directors and the directors) as well as the main department heads are paid non-tariff (AT).
ARD directors: This is how high the salaries were in 2021
| state broadcasting corporation | Director |
|---|---|
| WDR | 413,000 Euro |
| SWR | 361,000 euros |
| NDR | 346,000 euros |
| BR | 340.000 * Euro |
| HR | 305.000 Euro |
| RBB | 303,000 euros |
| LOL | €295,000 |
| RB | 281.000 Euro |
| MR | 245,000 * Euro |
| * The salary of the program director was extrapolated to 12 months (taking office during the year). | Source: ARD |
ARD directors: who decides on the remuneration?
But who decides how much a director at ARD earns? The ARD also explains this on its website. Management does not set its annual salary itself. “The supervisory bodies of the respective broadcasting corporation, which are made up of representatives of the general public, decide on the salaries of the management and also of the other non-tariff employees,” it says there. Information is also given there about the salary levels of journalists and program directors. (slo)
