02 - Knowledge: Roland Gratzer

Roland Gratzer is a host, artist, and author. He works as a journalist for FM4 and was awarded the "Radio Prize for Adult Education" for his series "4000 Years of Defeats." His audio clips cover topics such as Honzo, the monkey from Vienna, as well as "The Shame of Gijon," Ottokar's end, or the "Prater Battle of 1848." The jury stated: "Whether it's scientific scandals or sports embarrassments - FM4 tells the story of losers in the program '4000 Years of Defeats - The Entire Austrian History on FM4.' For this, the station receives the radio prize in the category of Education/Science (Eduard-Ploier-Prize)." More information can be found in the OTS and in the interview with Roland Gratzer.

Public Value Check

ORF Public Value has asked researchers from Austrian educational institutions to evaluate the value and benefits of the award-winning work.

"The role of women in Austrian history and science deserves much more attention, and the contribution in Gratzer's series makes an important contribution to this goal. Women like Hedy Lamarr have shaped not only science and technology with their achievements but have also enriched Austrian identity. Focusing on personalities like her can raise awareness of the significant role of women in Austrian history."
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Sophie Lecheler, University of Vienna

"Historical data and facts often come across as a bit dusty - here, new formats and storytelling methods like in '4000 Years of Defeats' can offer added value for listeners, as this is exactly what ORF should consider for its offerings: entertainment with a stance. Presenting historical contexts with a lot of humor and from a different perspective is a step in the right direction. Additionally, audio formats are becoming increasingly important for the younger target audience, and ORF should offer more content in the podcast area. This way, it can stay connected with the next generation of Austrian media users."
Mag. Gisela Reiter, FH Vienna

"With the format '4000 Years of Defeats,' Roland Gratzer succeeds in conveying interesting topics of Austrian history concisely in a youth-oriented program environment, thus preparing classic public service program elements in a contemporary manner. Such program offerings should also be offered on other audience-attractive stations like Ö3 to strengthen and make visible their public service identity."
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Steinmaurer, University of Salzburg

"Roland Gratzer enriches public broadcasting with '4000 Years of Defeats' by telling history in an innovative, humorous, and at the same time profound way. Instead of serving glorified narrative patterns, he focuses on the challenges and setbacks of historical figures - as in the episode about Hedy Lamarr. In doing so, he questions conventional portrayals, makes history accessible, and shows that defeats are an essential part of the human experience.

His work fulfills central public value criteria of ORF, especially in the areas of culture and orientation. With a mix of well-researched content, satire, and modern storytelling, he conveys historical content in an understandable and entertaining way. This creates new perspectives on the past, encourages reflection, and shows that public broadcasting can not only inform but also inspire - while making a valuable contribution to education and cultural transmission."
Dr. Denise Voci B.A., M.A., University of Klagenfurt

Further contributions to the discourse on public service quality and the documentation of public value are published by ORF in the publication series "PUBLIC VALUE TEXTE." Over 300 researchers and media experts have published relevant views on the quality debate there, for example in the special issue of the series on "Knowledge". There is also a study that was developed by various researchers on behalf of Bavarian and Austrian Broadcasting: "The Mission: Education".

All issues of "PUBLIC VALUE TEXTE" and various scientific studies on Public Value can be found here:
ORF Public Value - TEXTS (documents only available in german)
ORF Public Value - STUDIES (documents only available in german)

Previous Public Value reports also addressed the educational mandate in various facets, such as the contribution from Tom Matzek, head of the ORF's education and current affairs department, or the contribution from Gabriele Waldner-Pammesberger, now editor-in-chief of ORF, about the Ö1- "Journale".

Knowledge as a Public Value Category

The category "Knowledge" highlights the ORF's performance in areas such as education for all, children's programs - a special issue of "PUBLIC VALUE TEXTS" was published on this topic, addressing the quality question related to the new offering "ORF KIDS" - and documentaries. This category is based on passages from ORF regulations:

ORF Program Guidelines

The dissemination of science refers to both established scientific knowledge and new scientific theses. The goal is not only to inform about scientific topics but also to contribute to a better understanding of current problems and their contexts, thereby providing life assistance.


ORF Quality Profile

The dissemination of science, education, service, and life assistance is a task that the ORF must fulfill for the audience as part of its "educational mandate"; this task must be fulfilled in the overall program and is not bound to specific broadcast and design formats. This dissemination effort refers to both established scientific knowledge and new scientific theses.


ORF Mission Statement

The ORF serves as Austria's electronic memory, a "public media library of knowledge." It conveys insights from scientific research and makes educational content accessible to all.


Figures & Data

Below are exemplary figures documenting the fulfillment of the public service mandate and the associated media quality.(Figures & Data are only available in german.) Further information can be found in the ORF's annual report to the Federal Chancellor and regulatory authority, the transparency report, the business and sustainability report, as well as reports on equality, the action plan for accessibility, or the ORF's annual and consolidated financial statements.

Educational Plattform "edutube"

9 Themenblöcke

Klima / Umwelt

Wirtschaft / Konsum

Politik / Europa

Medien / Digitales

Wissenschaft / Forschung

Gesundheit / Lifestyle

Geschichte / Aktuelles

Mensch / Kultur

Themen / Schwerpunkte z.B. Künstliche Intelligenz, Digitalisierung und Innovation, Demokratieerziehung, Datenschutz und Überwachung, Mediennutzung, Fake News, Gewalt gegen Frauen, Energiewende

521 Übernahmen bzw. Kurzbeiträge aus dem ORF-Programm seit Bestehen von "edutube"

117 Dokus aus dem ORF-Programm seit Bestehen von "edutube"

328 für "edutube" eigenproduzierte Kurzbeiträge aus ORF-Dokumentationen

3435 Filme und Kurzbeiträge gesamt, davon 1495 mit ORF-Beteiligung seit Bestehen von "edutube"

Knowledge in TV

"Mayrs Magazin - Wissen für Alle" - Top 5

Sendungsname	Sender	Datum	Tsd.
Biomasse bei der Bierproduktion / Umweltbelastung Bestattung / Beim Polizeitraining / Der Neandertaler in uns / Spitzensport und Schlaf	ORF 2	05.01.	464
KI und Darmkrebsvorsorge / Drehkreuze produzieren Strom / Sexualverhalten Makaken	ORF 2	09.02.	430
Darmentzündung Forschung / Plastik aus CO2 / Pallas Athene / Sozialleben von Pelikanen / Woher kommt die Angst vor Spinnen?	ORF 2	15.11.	423
KI und Gefahren auf Straßen / Abschluss COP29 / Vögel vor Stromleitungen retten / Schädlingsbekämpfung mit Staubsauger	ORF 2	22.11.	414
Feldhasen und Co / Cannabis / Probleme Forschung Gesichtserkennung / Mond-Jahr 2024 / Orchideenforschung Costa Rica / Gutenberg Bibel Salzburg	ORF 2	29.03.	392

"Universum" - Top 5

Sendungsname	Sender	Datum	Tsd.
Schönbrunner Tiergeschichten: Leben im Zoo	ORF 2	20.08.	630
Das Tote Gebirge: Wunderwelt des Lebens	ORF 2	21.05.	601
Hermann Maier: Meine Heimat Zillertaler Alpen	ORF 2	22.10.	601
Geister der Wüste: Die Löwen der Skelettküste	ORF 2	19.11.	601
Tagliamento: Wild und Frei zwischen Adria und Alpen	ORF 2	12.11.	559

"Universum History" - Top 5

Sendungsname	Sender	Datum	Tsd.
Aufstand im Bordell: Frauenhandel um 1900	ORF 2	05.03.	369
Verfolgte Liebe: Die Männer mit dem Rosa Winkel	ORF 2	21.05.	256
D Day 1: Invasion für die Freiheit	ORF 2	05.06.	238
Sex und Sinnlichkeit: Das liebestolle England	ORF 2	23.08.	233
Hindenburg: Tragödie am Himmel	ORF 2	13.09.	222

Zeit- und kulturhistorische Archive auf ORF ON

Zeitgeschichte	9 Archive 593 Videos
Februarkämpfe: Zeitzeug:innen berichten	15 Videos
Geschichte der Zweiten Republik	154 Videos
Österreichs Zeitzeug:innen	108 Videos
Der Zweite Weltkrieg	53 Videos
Österreichs Neutralität	13 Videos
Die Geschichte der Ersten Republik	53 Videos
100 Jahre Erster Weltkrieg	51 Videos
Der Fall des "Eisernen Vorhangs"	40 Videos
Die Geschichte Südtirols	106 Videos

Kulturgeschichte und Gesellschaft	6 Archive 469 Videos
Starke Frauen	114 Videos
Gelebte Inklusion in der Gesellschaft	61 Videos
Nachhaltigkeit und Umweltschutz	112 Videos
Österreich, wie es einmal war	65 Videos
Vielfalt der Identitäten	14 Videos
Wissenschaft und Forschung	103 Videos

Die Geschichte unserer Bundesländer	10 Archive 1669 Videos
Die Geschichte Wiens	343 Videos
Die Geschichte Oberösterreichs	134 Videos
Die Geschichte des Burgenlandes	170 Videos
Die Geschichte der Steiermark	152 Videos
Die Geschichte Tirols	112 Videos
Die Geschichte Vorarlbergs	127 Videos
Die Geschichte Salzburgs	138 Videos
Die Geschichte Kärntens	119 Videos
Die Geschichte Niederösterreichs	243 Videos
Volksgruppen in Österreich	131 Videos

Politik und Wirtschaft	8 Archive 526 Videos
Die politische Landschaft in Deutschland	43 Videos
Im Rückblick: US-Präsidentschaftswahlen	41 Videos
Nationalratswahlen	122 Videos
Die Geschichte der EU	111 Videos
Bundespräsidentenwahlen in Österreich	34 Videos
Rekordinflation und Energiekrise	28 Videos
Das Österreichische Bundesheer	86 Videos
Causa Hypo	70 Videos

Fernseh- und Mediengeschichte	9 Archive 661 Videos
Vintage Videos	60 Videos
Best of "ZIB 2" Interviews	113 Videos
Highlights vom "Am Schauplatz"	35 Videos
Die Geschichte des Fernsehens	40 Videos
Best of ORF-DialogForum	24 Videos
Österreich beim Song Contest	58 Videos
Die Geschichte von "Licht ins Dunkel"	30 Videos
Best of "Club 2"	27 Videos
Bewegende Momente aus "Bundesland heute"	274 Videos

Wissen im Radio

Sender	Minuten	% (Wortanteil)
Ö1	1058:11:00	20,90%
Ö3	52:26:00	2,99%
FM4	87:47:00	5,76%
Radio Burgenland	121:57:00	6,06%
Radio Kärnten	109:06:00	4,24%
Radio Niederösterreich	75:45:00	3,97%
Radio Oberösterreich	109:18:00	6,13%
Radio Salzburg	77:51:00	3,47%
Radio Steiermark	125:44:00	5,66%
Radio Tirol	78:20:00	4,28%
Radio Vorarlberg	202:34:00	10,51%
Radio Wien	114:56:00	6,79%
Ö1 International	10:02:00	5,11%

science.ORF.at

Anzahl der Beiträge im Jahr 2024	1316
Ein ganzjähriges Thema war die Klimaerwärmung und die damit einhergehenden Extremwetterereignisse.
Im Themengebiet Gesundheit wurde regelmäßig über Infektionswellen, etwa bei Keuchhusten und Masern, berichtet und über Schutzmaßnahmen aufgeklärt.

Nachhaltigkeit

Treffer im TV-Archiv	379
Treffer im Radio-Archiv	288

Umweltinitiative "Mutter Erde" vom 25.10.2024 bis 04.11.2024

1 Programmschwerpunkt "Wasser ändert alles"

5 Kanäle Fernsehen, Radio, Online, in den Landesstudio und im ORF TELETEXT

3,6 Mio. Zuseher:innen bzw. Nutzer:innen Das entspricht 47% der gesamten TV-Bevölkerung ab 12 Jahren

444.000 Zuseher:innen der "Universum"-Spezialausgabe "Wasserwelten - Paradise in Bedrängnis" Moderiert von Christa Kummer und Tarek Leitner

#knowledge