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HERE Kratky’s salary would have been even higher

The debate surrounding the salaries of some ORF stars does not seem to be dying down. Now new details are coming to light about who else would have been willing to pay one of the stars a lot of money ...(Bild: Andreas Tischler / picturedesk.com)

There has been much - heated - discussion recently about the salaries of public broadcasters, especially about Robert Kratky's (highest) income. The "Krone" knows who wanted to pay him even more and why the presenter refused.

The disclosure of ORF salaries has been a hotly debated topic in the local media landscape for weeks. In the spotlight is Ö3-Weckermann Robert Kratky, who turned out to be the "salary emperor" with an annual salary of 444,000 euros. A debate driven by envy and a lack of understanding was sparked, while the person of interest made it clear that he did not want to comment on this in an interview.

The debate surrounding the salaries of some ORF stars does not seem to be dying down. Now new details are coming to light about who else would have been willing to pay one of the stars a lot of money ...(Bild: Andreas Tischler / picturedesk.com)

In a (documented) telephone conversation with "ExtraDienst" publisher Christian W. Mucha ("in a personal conversation, this was not an interview", which can also be read on extradienst.at), the Ö3 morning presenter did reveal what has been on his mind over the last few days and weeks. Mucha writes: "Of course, the affair has not left him unscathed. He has personally answered hundreds of attacks, accusations, hate mails and comments. Every single one. That was not easy for him." But it didn't stop there and Kratky dropped a bombshell.

As described in the "ExtraDienst" article, his salary was only adjusted upwards by around 100,000 euros a year after the 50-year-old was poached by another private radio station for a horrendous sum.

The debate surrounding the salaries of some ORF stars does not seem to be dying down. Now new details are coming to light about who else would have been prepared to pay one of the stars a lot of money ...(Bild: Andreas Tischler / picturedesk.com)

Fellner's millions
"Regarding the counter-offer to the ORF job from the 'Österreich' group, I'm finding out that it was probably a lot more than just 500,000 euros. Around three million for several years. Thousands of euros in legal fees alone were incurred to review the corresponding contract proposals. Which Kratky ultimately - because he stayed with Ö3 - did not realize after all. He explained to me that it would not have been ethically correct to enter into negotiations if one had a valid and intact contract with the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation. And if it was in any way the case that this contract could not be fulfilled if he had been hired by 'Radio Austria'. In his opinion, this would not have been ethically correct," Mucha said and went on to write that there had been hours of discussions with former ORF Director General Alexander Wrabetz in which he wanted to ensure that Kratky remained with the broadcaster.

After lengthy research, publisher Mucha has now managed a so-called scoop!(Bild: Christian Mucha)

Wrabetz himself does not want to say a word about the fee issue, but he did allow Mucha to elicit a quote regarding Kratky's work in the name of the good cause: "Robert Kratky was the one who was instrumental in organizing the 'Ö3 Christmas Miracle'. After all, that was Licht ins Dunkel's biggest single campaign. Mainly thanks to his efforts."

Kratky's contract ends in 2026
For the man with whom the whole country starts the day every day, one thing is clear: he does not want to extend his contract - he already emphasized this on "Stöckl Live". But now we also know: it will be the end of 2026!