Austrian Parliament Decides Future of the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra

On Monday, Austria’s National Council passed a budgetary accompanying act that grants the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) greater flexibility in its use of funds from 2027 to 2029. However, this increased freedom is contingent upon ORF continuing to operate the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra (RSO), as well as the ORF Sport+ and ORF III television channels.

The future of these institutions has been the subject of extensive debate in recent years.

ORF Director General Roland Weißmann has now confirmed that the Vienna RSO is secure for the foreseeable future. Under the revised ORF legislation set out by the Austrian government, every household will contribute €15.30 per month in broadcasting fees, which will enable ORF to access up to €710 million in revenue from these household contributions until 2029.

Between 2027 and 2029, ORF will also be permitted to utilise up to €35 million annually in additional ORF funds. In return, the broadcaster is obliged to maintain operations of both ORF Sport+ and ORF III until the end of 2029, and to continue financially supporting the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.

However, from 2026 onwards, the annual federal subsidy of €10 million for the Vienna RSO and ORF Sport+ will be discontinued.

“ORF Sport+, ORF III, and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra have all been at the centre of much discussion in recent years,” said Weißmann. “That debate is, for the time being, resolved. These institutions are secure for the coming years.”

In an interview on Tuesday, Weißmann announced: “We will be featuring the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra more prominently in our programming.”

As such, Markus Poschner is set to take over as Chief Conductor of the orchestra from Marin Alsop at the beginning of the 2026/27 concert season. ORF had previously made clear that the German conductor would only assume the position if the orchestra’s future and financial support were assured.