The hit for public broadcasting reaches around 80 million euros compared to the trajectory presented a year ago. These 4 billion are also below the amounts appearing in the draft objectives and means contracts (COM) for 2024-2028, between the State and each company (excluding Arte).
On the side of the Ministry of Culture, however, we minimize the effort requested: of the 80 million euros that are missing, 40 million euros are postponed to 2026 because they were devoted to the implementation of the reform of the public audiovisual, mortgaged since the dissolution of the National Assembly, and the other 40 million were to compensate for inflation, which promises to be lower than expected.
The “real” effort requested from public broadcasting would therefore amount to 8 million euros, it was calculated on rue de Valois. Despite this “controlled evolution of credits”, “the organizations will endeavor to continue the implementation of the four priorities” which are “creation and culture, youth and education, information and proximity”, according to the government.
For example, France Bleu and France 3 are getting closer, and have already set up joint morning shows. As for 2024, an envelope is planned “in addition” and under conditions: 30 million dedicated “to the implementation of priority transformation projects in 2025”. It will be paid in particular “according to the evolution of reflections on the governance of public broadcasting”.
Led by the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, the project of a joint holding then a merger was on track until the dissolution in June. The minister plans consultations to consider what happens next.
More urgently, the sustainability of public broadcasting funding, through a fraction of VAT revenue, will be on the Senate’s agenda on October 23.
Given these multiple issues, the environmentalist MP Sophie Taillé-Polian, rapporteur for opinion on the COMs, sees in the 2025 draft budget a “weakening of the public audiovisual service”.
“There is a complete disconnect” in funding compared to the increase planned in the COMs, nevertheless corresponding to “strategic developments”, she pointed out to AFP.
“The objectives remain the right ones but the evolution of the indicators can be reviewed”, argues for her part the deputy Céline Calvez (Together for the Republic), co-rapporteur for opinion.
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