Sonya Yoncheva, Juan Diego Florez & Christian Gerhaher Among Artists Weighing in on 3sat & ARTE Merger
By Francisco SalazarFollowing the announcement of Germany’s proposal to merge 3sat into Arte, the Franco-German culture channel, IMZ International Music+Media Centre and several artists have released statements against the planned merger.
IMZ Media said, “3sat is the only public channel showcasing the rich cultural diversity of the DACH region, broadcasting dance, theatre, opera, literature, music and more across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It provides space for critical debates and creative diversity, acting as the only cross-border platform for cultural offerings in the region.”
The media company also urged the German Broadcasting Commission to reconsider the proposed merger and ARTE.
Benedikt von Peter, Artistic Director of Theater Basel said, “Creating theater requires a public debate. 3sat repeatedly creates a platform for theater, records historically important performances, and provides new access to theater” while Wiener Staatsoper General Director Bogdan Roscic added, “The gradual displacement of culture from certain media is one thing. But when it happens in public broadcasting it’s a completely different matter -and infinitely more alarming.”
Baritone Christian Gerhaher also weighed in noting that the disappearance of public broadcasting almost feels “intentional” and a “shame,” while tenor Juan Diego Flórez added that access to the “arts and culture must be available to everyone and it is up to us to fight for its preservation.”
Finally, Sonya Yoncheva noted that 3sat contributes to the “diversity of the cultural and media landscape” and is a “pivotal contribution to the TV programme in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.”
3sat was launched in 1984 and the bulk of its content is provided by the two main German public broadcasting channels, ARD and ZDF, with Austria’s ORF contributing 25 percent and Switzerland’s SRG supplying 10 percent of its programming. The decision on the merger will be announced in December.
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