"Identity and social cohesion are significantly shaped by entertainment. For many viewers, it plays a central role in their daily lives. Therefore, productions like these, which tell exciting and emotionally charged stories and are visually very appealing, are an indispensable part of the ORF offering. Public broadcasting should not be limited to news and documentaries - we need productions that captivate the audience and convey on an emotional level what it means to be human."
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Sophie Lecheler, University of Vienna
"The ORF has been known for years for providing top-notch information, but sometimes criticism has crept in regarding entertainment formats. Media users should be reminded much more often of how important the ORF is for the Austrian film landscape and what high-caliber film productions the ORF provides. With 'The Silence of the Donkeys,'(dt. Das Schweigen der Esel) another component is added: not only are local customs incorporated into the story, but dialect is also spoken here. Another contribution to engaging with the diversity of different languages and cultural peculiarities within Austria."
Mag. Gisela Reiter, FH Vienna
"The television film in the format of an offbeat crime story with local color offers entertainment on a public broadcasting level and tries to counter televisual mainstream aesthetics by, for example, avoiding possible effects and fast editing sequences and instead focusing on the storytelling qualities of the script and the acting performance of the protagonists. In particular, such productions offer alternatives to the US series mainstream."
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Steinmaurer, University of Salzburg
"As a public broadcaster, ORF has the task of creating content with social value. The rural crime film 'The Silence of the Donkeys' (dt. Das Schweigen der Esel) by Karl Markovics fulfills this task particularly well by going beyond the classic crime film and critically questioning social realities. The film combines suspense, social criticism, and psychological depth by addressing profound themes such as abuse of power, social isolation, and psychological trauma. In an idyllic Vorarlberg community, the film shows how deeply rooted power structures, dependencies, and violence operate beneath the surface. With this approach, 'The Silence of the Donkeys' (dt. Das Schweigen der Esel) fulfills ORF's public value mandate, which is not only to provide entertainment but also to encourage reflection on socially relevant topics.
The film takes on a strong social responsibility by addressing structural violence, social exclusion, and their invisible scars. In an artistically demanding way, it encourages reflection on social grievances and challenges viewers to question their perceptions - an important aspect of democratic media quality.
Furthermore, 'The Silence of the Donkeys' (dt. Das Schweigen der Esel) is not only a socially critical crime film but also an example of high-quality Austrian film art that enriches the cultural identity and diversity in the ORF program."
Dr. Denise Voci B.A., M.A., University of Klagenfurt
The ORF publishes additional contributions to the discourse on public service quality and the documentation of public value in the publication series "PUBLIC VALUE TEXTE." Over 300 scholars and media experts have shared relevant views on the quality debate there. Two studies are available on the topic of entertainment: conducted in collaboration with German and Swiss public broadcasters under the leadership of Univ.-Prof. Dr. Matthias Kettemann and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gabriele Siegert from the University of Zurich. The DialogForum has also addressed entertainment in public broadcasting and Austrian film in particular:
You can find all issues of "PUBLIC VALUE TEXTE" as well as various scientific studies on public value and the "DialogForen" here:
ORF Public Value - TEXTS (documents only available in german)
ORF Public Value - STUDIES (documents only available in german)
DialogForen
Entertainment as a Public Value Category
The entertainment category highlights the ORF's performance in terms of sophisticated, socially relevant entertainment, award-winning films & series, Austrian events and sports broadcasts. This category is based on the following passages from ORF regulations:
ORF Law
§ 4. (1) The Austrian Broadcasting Corporation is responsible for providing entertainment through the entirety of its programs broadcast according to § 3.
ORF Program Guidelines
Entertainment is an essential component of the public service mandate. ORF offers the best international and Austrian programs and is particularly aware of its responsibility in choosing themes and designing programs, especially for Austrian identity and culture, equality, minorities, children, and youth.
ORF Quality Profile
ORF's entertainment offerings reflect all levels of societal diversity in terms of age, gender, origin, religion, and beliefs in the best possible quality. Sophisticated formats meet the audience's desires and expectations for entertainment while also encouraging them to engage with social issues.
Figures & Data
Below you will find exemplary figures documenting the fulfillment of the public service mandate and the associated media quality. 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.
| Meistgesehen |
||
| Was | Datum | Zuseher:innen |
| Doku | ||
| Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) | 10.08. | 236.000 |
| Serien | ||
| Der Bergdoktor | 03.01. | 760.000 |
| Lena Lorenz | 10.04. | 491.000 |
| Die Rosenheim-Cops (29 neue Folgen) | 10.01.-23.05. + 10.10.-19.12 | 767.000 (Mittelwert) |
| Die Chefin XII (4 neue Folgen) | 12.01.-02.02. | 587.000 (Mittelwert) |
| Die Bergretter XVI (6 neue Folgen) | 18.09.-30.10. | 579.000 (Mittelwert) |
| Der Staatsanwalt XVIII (7 neue Folgen) | 16.02.-29.03. | 572.000 (Mittelwert) |
| Der Alte XXIII (8 neue Folgen) | 05.04.-24.05. | 487.000 (Mittelwert) |
| Reihe | ||
| Blind ermittelt - Tod im Kaffeehaus | 22.04. | 572.000 |
| Blind ermittelt - Tod im Palais | 29.04. | 508.000 |
| TV-Filme | ||
| Ewig Dein | 29.12. | 643.000 |
| Sie Sagt. Er sagt. | 24.02. | 457.000 |
| Die Rosenheim-Cops: Totholz (Special) | 14.11. | 793.000 |
| Der Geier - Die Tote mit dem falschen Leben | 07.09. | 675.000 |
| Marie Brand und die verfolgte Braut | 20.04. | 655.000 |
| Unter anderen Umständen - Nordwind | 12.10. | 575.000 |
| Der Kommissar und der See - In besseren Kreisen | 06.12. | 572.000 |
| Die schönste Bescherung | 13.12. | 535.000 |
| Kleine Eheverbrechen | 31.07. | 508.000 |
| Weihnachtspäckchen... haben alle zu tragen | 07.12. | 507.000 |
| Meistgesehen | |
| Die Flut - Tod am Deich 27.04. |
Hamburger Produzentenpreis |
| Davos 1917 / 1-3 (Miniserie)
03.-05.01. |
Schweizer Fernsehfilmpreis (Beste Hauptdarstellerin)
Prix Walo (Beste Hauptdarstellerin + Beste TV-Produktion) Eyes + Ears of Europe-Awards (Best Program) |
| Herrhausen - Der Herr des Geldes 1+2
29.12.+30.12. |
Grimme-Preis (Buch, Regie, Produktion, Darstellung: Oliver Masucci)
Series Mania/Lill (Bestes Drehbuch) Bernd Burgermeister Fernsehpreis (Produzentin Gabriela Sperl) Hessischer Fernsehpreis (Beste Schauspielerische Leistung: Oliver Masucci) |
| Oscar-/Golden-Globe-Prämierte Erstausstrahlungen | |
| James Bond - Keine Zeit zu sterben
1 Oscar |
King Richard 1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe |
| Dune
6 Oscars, 1 Golden Globe |
Top Gun Maverick
1 Oscar |
| West Side Story
1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe |
Nomadland
3 Oscars, 2 Golden Globes |
| Belfast
1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe |
Promising Young Woman 1 Oscar |
| 3.395 Film / Serie "Spannung" |
2.705 Film / Serie "Unterhaltung" |
||
| 1.420 Quiz / Show |
320 Unterhaltung, Sonstige |
||
| Programm | Anzahl Sendungen |
| Hallo, was machst du? | 25 |
| Ganz Ohr | 15 |
| Kling Klang | 15 |
| Klimakrach | 5 |
| Science Busters for Kids | 5 |
| Yoga Kids | 30 |
| Was geht | 5 |
| Tanzen mit den Stars | 10 |
| Die Abenteuerchecker | 5 |
| Die Gartenpiraten | 5 |
| Demokratino | 4 |
| Kunst Kids | 1 |
| Yeah! - Der Talk für coole Kids | 8 |
| So denkt das junge Österreich | 10 |
| Programm | Anzahl Sendungen |
| Kinderserien in englischer Sprache | 7 |
| Episoden in englischer Sprache (inkl. Wiederholungen) | 239 |
| Sender | Minuten | % Wortanteil |
| Ö1 | 58:14:00 | 1,15% |
| Ö3 | 287:42:00 | 16,40% |
| FM4 | 346:45:00 | 22,75% |
| Radio Burgenland | 130:18:00 | 6,48% |
| Radio Kärnten | 366:08:00 | 14,24% |
| Radio Niederösterreich | 131:04:00 | 6,87% |
| Radio Oberösterreich | 125:04:00 | 7,02% |
| Radio Salzburg | 177:36:00 | 7,91% |
| Radio Steiermark | 224:26:00 | 10,10% |
| Radio Tirol | 102:55:00 | 5,63% |
| Radio Vorarlberg | 145:36:00 | 7,55% |
| Radio Wien | 230:17:00 | 13,61% |
| Radio Ö1 International | 0:00:00 | 0,00% |
| Titel | Sender | datum |
| 20 Jahre Sommernachtskonzert | ORF 2 | 07.06. |
| 20 Jahre "Was gibt es Neues?" | ORF 1 | 04.10. |
| 35 Jahre "Dober dan, Koroška" | ORF 2 Kärnten | 07.04. |
| 35 Jahre "Dobar dan Hrvati" | ORF 2 Burgenland | 07.04. |
| 40 Jahre "Focus - Themen fürs Leben" | ORF Radio Vorarlberg | 25.-29.03. |
| 200. Geburtstag von Anton Bruckner | ORF 2 | 06.09. |
| 25 Jahre "Barbara Karlich - Talk um 4" | ORF 2 | 28.10. |
| 85. Geburstag von Johanna Dohnal | ORF 2 | 18.02. |
| 80. Geburtstag von Michael Douglas | ORF 2 | 22.09. |
| 150. Geburstag von Karl Kraus | ORF 2 / Ö1 | 22.04. / 28.04. |
| 200. Jubiläum der Uraufführung von Ludwig van Beethovens 9. Symphonie | ORF III / Arte | 07.05. |
| 2.000 Sendung von "Guten Morgen Österreich" | ORF 2 | 24.05. |
| 10 Jahre "ORF-Landkrimi" (10 Wiederholungen der besten Fälle) | ORF 1 | 08.06.-21.09. |
| 85. Geburstag von Peter Kraus | ORF 2 / ORF III | 15.-17.03. |
| 80. Geburtstag von Peter Rapp | ORF 2 / ORF III | 10.02. |
| 70 Jahre Landjugend Österreich | ORF 2 | 10.08. |
| 1100. Geburtstag des heiligen Wolfgang | ORF 2 | 22.10. |
| 85. Geburtstag von Erwin Kräutler | ORF 2 | 09.07. |
| 200. Geburtstag von Johann Strauss Sohn | ORF 2 | 02.12. |
| 300 Jahre Immanuel Kant | ORF 2 | 15.04. |
| 90. Geburtstag von Sophie Loren | ORF 2 | 26.08. |
| 40. Jubiläum der Ö1-Reihe "Diagonal" | Ö1 | 09.11. |
| 80. Geburtstag von Peter Turrini | Ö1 / ORF 2 / ORF III | 21.09.-27.09. |
| 70. Geburtstag von Christoph Ransmayr | Ö1 / ORF 2 | 16.03.-20.03. |
| 75. Geburtstag von Michael Köhlmeier | Ö1 | 06.10.-13.10. |
| 20 Jahre Ö3-Kummernummer | Ö3 (Fachtagung) | 05.10. |
| 150. Geburtstag von Arnold Schönberg | ORF / ORF III | 30.08. |
| 20 Jahre "Lange Nacht der Kirchen" | ORF 2 | 09.06. |
| 75. Geburstag von Hanno Pöschl | ORF 2 | 02.07. |
| 1000. Sendung "Sport am Sonntag" | ORF 1 | 18.02. |
| 75. Geburtstag von Bruce Springsteen | ORF 1 | 18.09. |
| 80. Geburtstag von Uschi Glas | ORF 2 / ORF III | 01.03. |
| 60. Geburtstag von Ulrike Beimpold | ORF 1 | 10.05. |
| 75 Jahre NATO | ORF 2 | 03.04. |
| 40 Jahre Hainburg | ORF 2 | 04.12. |
| Sender | datum | |
| Hermes Phettberg | ORF 1 / ORF III | 19.-20.12 |
| Fritz Wepper | ORF 2 / ORF III | 29.03. |
| Erich Kästner | Ö1 / ORF 2 | 22.07.-19.08. |
| Hannes Androsch | ORF 2 | 12.-13.12. |
| Franz Kafka | Ö1 / ORF 2 / ORF III | 01.06.-08.06. |
| Caterina Valente | Ö1 / ORF 2 / ORF III | 13.09.-15.09. |
| Alfred Komarek | ORF III | 02.02. |
