World Champions Will Be There, Too

Rangnick as Coach: Here’s How the ORF Convention Is Set to Unfold

Incumbent Director General Ingrid Thurnher has specific ideas about what the ORF needs in the future. However, soccer coach Ralf Rangnick has also been invited to the “Future Forum.”(Bild: Krone-Collage/Christof Birbaumer, ÖFB)

In a two-day “Future Forum” scheduled for September, the government aims to pull the ORF out of its crisis—there’s even talk of a major overhaul of the public broadcaster. And to that end, the government is enlisting prominent support.

One thing is clear from the outset: this is not a small, closed-door event. Starting Thursday, Media Minister Andreas Babler (SPÖ) will host the “Future Forum.” For two days, a group of 200 people from a wide variety of backgrounds will discuss what the ORF should look like in the future. The outcome will serve as the basis for politicians to develop a “comprehensive reform.” Here’s what it’s all about: