Public broadcaster runs up increasing deficits
The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation – the parent company of swissinfo – made a deficit of SFr46.7 million ($43.5 million) last year, a figure set to increase in 2010.
At a news conference in Bern, the SBC described its financial situation as “critical” because of structural deficits. It added that a government decision on finances for the period 2011-2014 would be crucial.
The corporation, which has a public service mandate, said that this year’s loss would climb to SFr75 million because of two major sport events, February’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the forthcoming World Cup in South Africa.
Total deficits between 2007 and 2011 were expected to be around SFr220 million, with negative effects on both capital and indebtedness.
The SBC pointed out that from 2011, it would lack about SFr54 million a year for four years to fulfil its mandate. Without cost-cutting measures being taken, the figure would be double.
It noted that revenues could be increased by a number of government measures, including higher licence fees, increased advertising and sponsoring, as well as subsidies.
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