Media assets

Television: DR1, DR2, DR3, DR K, DR Ramasjang, DR Ultra

Radio: DR P1, DR P2, DR P3, DR P4, DR P5, DR P6 Beat, DR P7, DR P8 Jazz, DR Langbølge

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)

Ownership and governance

DR functions as an independent public institution. Its highest authority is an 11-member Board of Directors, each serving a four-year term. Seven of these members are appointed by state authorities, three by the Minister of Culture and six by Parliament, while two are elected by DR staff. The board’s responsibilities include appointing the executive leadership, notably the CEO.

In an effort to modernize governance, a new bill proposing changes to DR’s board appointment model was introduced in February 2025. This proposed reform aims to depoliticize DR’s board appointments. Rather than granting Parliament and the Minister of Culture sweeping influence, the new model would vest authority in an independent appointment body composed of representatives from the six largest parliamentary parties. This body would appoint six board members, while the Minister of Culture would continue to select three (including the chair), and DR’s employees would elect two. The reform sharpens the professional criteria—covering media, technology, culture, and leadership—for board appointees, reduces board terms from four to three years, and caps total service at 12 years. The law is slated to take effect in 2027.

Bjarne Corydon, former Finance Minister (2011–2015) and ex-CEO/Editor-in-Chief of Dagbladet Børsen, was appointed DR’s new Director‑General. This was announced in April 2025 and has drawn mixed reactions—praised for his strengths and networks, yet also prompting concerns about potential political influence.

Source of funding and budget

Historically, DR was financed through a media license fee charged to households with audiovisual-capable devices. However, beginning in 2019, this system was gradually phased out and replaced by a public media tax. That transition was fully completed by 2022. If you’re a Danish resident aged 18+, you now contribute to DR through your income tax: this revenue is allocated via the state budget, not a standalone fee.

In recent years, DR’s finances have demonstrated a steady upward trend. In 2021, its annual budget stood at DKK 3.8 bn, with license fee revenue making up around 22% of that total. In 2022, total budget grew to DKK 3.9 bn, almost entirely funded through state subsidy. In 2023, the budget reached DKK 4.13 bn, of which DKK 3.66 bn came via the public media tax.

In 2024, DR’s total income rose to DKK 4.3 bn, of which DKK 3.9 bn came from public media tax, while expenditure climbed to DKK 4.5 bn (2023: DKK 3.8 bn), driven by major broadcasting costs linked to the UEFA Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympics, as well as higher personnel expenses following the 2023 collective agreement.

Editorial independence

Denmark’s Constitution has prohibited censorship since 1849, guaranteeing that DR operates free from government interference in its editorial content. The Broadcast Law enshrines DR’s editorial autonomy, emphasizing freedom of information and expression as cornerstones of its programming.

To uphold standards, DR employs a Listeners’ and Viewers’ Editor, a de facto ombudsman who evaluates content against DR’s charter, manages audience feedback, and consults with management to ensure accountability.

August 2025

Media assets

Television: TV 2, TV 2 Play, TV 2 News, TV 2 Charlie, TV 2 Sport, TV 2 Sport X, TV 2 Echo, TV 2 FRI

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Managed (ISM)

Ownership and governance

TV 2 Denmark remains state-owned and commercially funded. Its governance structure comprises a nine-member Board of Directors—six appointed by the Danish Minister of Culture and three elected by TV 2 staff—which oversees the station’s overarching strategic direction.

Anne Engdal Stig Christensen officially assumed the role of CEO at TV 2 Denmark on 1 August 2019, succeeding Merete Eldrup. Christensen’s connection with TV 2 stretches back to 1994, across two separate periods of employment, and her tenure has been marked by steady leadership, steering the company through a demanding phase of digital transformation and the reshaping of its content strategy.

Source of funding and budget

TV 2’s revenue model remains rooted in advertising and subscription income. In 2021, the company had a turnover of DKK 3.6bn (US$ 547m), with 46% of the revenue coming from advertising sales and 51% from subscription sales. In 2022, TV2’s total turnover increased to DKK 3.8bn (US$ 519m), with DKK 2bn generated through subscriptions and DKK 1.7bn from advertising sales, according to a company financial report. In 2023, TV2 had a total income of DKK 3.8bn (US$ 551m).

The regional channels continue to receive partial funding from the old television licence fee, though as of 2024 this has been replaced by state tax collection.

In 2024, TV 2 Denmark recorded its highest-ever turnover of DKK 4.15 billion (approx. US$610 million), a significant increase from DKK 3.8 billion the previous year. Subscription revenues grew strongly—up nearly 15% to DKK 2.49 billion—making up around 60% of the total, while advertising income remained steady at DKK 1.59 billion (38%). Digital revenues accounted for 41% of all income, underscoring TV 2’s rapid pivot towards streaming and online platforms. The broadcaster closed the year with an EBIT of DKK 339 million and an operating margin of 8.2%, reflecting robust profitability despite escalating content costs.

Editorial independence

Denmark’s Constitution has strictly banned censorship since 1849, and the government exerts no influence on TV 2’s editorial operations. Content analyses conducted by the Media and Journalism Research Center from May 2021, March 2023, and May 2024 found no bias. TV 2 operates under the Danish Broadcast Law, which enshrines freedom of information and expression as essential to its programming.

TV 2 also maintains policies on ethics, whistleblower protection, diversity, and communication, though lacks formal independent oversight of its editorial decisions.

August 2025