10. 10. 2013

100 M FROM BUDGET ANNUALLY TO RTS

Belgrade, October 10, 2013 (B92, Blic) - Around 100 million Euros (80 percent) will be allocated to RTS from the state budget, whereas RTV will receive 20 percent.

As stated on the website of the Ministry of Culture and Media, the funds from the budget will be allocated to public service broadcasters based on concluded agreement with the competent ministry and paid in 12 installments.

The funds should be used only for the core activity of the public service broadcaster, the daily Blic reports.

General Manager of RTS Aleksandar Tijanic says this media could be well of with even 80 million Euros of budget funds, providing that the revenues from advertising remain above 15 million of Euros a year and the staff cut from 4 down to 3 thousand workers.

"This will however affect the quality of program offer, resulting in the reduction of audience share and revenues from marketing. Why would we give 100 million of Euros a year for something no one will watch?" Tijanic said.

The Draft Law stipulates that no more than 6 minutes of commercials may be aired in one whole hour, as well as that the share in advertising and TV sale may be not over 10 percent of the entire program.