The savings will affect popular programs such as "Hotel Romantik", "Vem bor här?" and "Carina Bergfeldt". There will also be less live sports, fewer galas in the future and not as many drama series as before.
In total, SVT will save 355 million SEK, and 141 jobs will be lost in Stockholm, Umeå, Gothenburg and Växjö.
It feels painful. Not least when the world looks the way it does. And it hurts to take money intended for programs and news to maintain a state emergency network that fewer and fewer people use, says Lagercrantz.
“The bills are coming”
SVT needs to save, among other things, because the cost of broadcasting programs has increased by 192 million SEK since Boxer and TV4 left the terrestrial network. The government has not yet said whether SVT will be compensated for this.
"We haven't received any word from the government, but the bills are coming. We would have had to save anyway, but not this much," says Anne Lagercrantz.
The new public service agreement means that SVT will receive increased funding by 3 percent this year, then a 2 percent annual increase in 2027–2030 and 1 percent in 2031–2033. So should viewers prepare for SVT getting an ever smaller budget?
You should be prepared for the fact that several highly appreciated titles are being paused. And it is a painful message to give to the audience. But you should also know that we are making clear priorities, areas where we are not saving a penny.
We spare no effort in reviewing or verifying. We prioritize our collecting mission, and that applies to everything from the Christmas calendar to "On the Track".
“Shocked”
As I said, the savings are partly linked to the terrestrial network. Does that mean they will be removed if you receive money from the government for that part?
That would mean the savings would be much less severe. But, as I said, we would still need to save. Still, 192 million is a fairly large part of 355 million.
Johan Weichel, chairman of the journalists' club at SVT, says he is surprised by how large the savings package is.
"What you can say spontaneously is that people are shocked. We had a feeling that something was going on and that there would be consequences, but the warning is bigger than we thought," he tells TT.
TT is seeking comment from Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand (M).
Facts: This is how SVT's savings work
Programs that are disappearing: “Hotel Romantik”, “Vem bor här?”, “Frågan är fri”, “Antikmagasin”, “Jullov” and “Talkshow with Carina Bergfeldt” will be paused from 2027.
SVT Forum is included in SVT News.
Cultural news is changing.
Less live sports.
Shorter Sports News.
Live galas will be reviewed from 2028.
About one fewer drama series from 2028.
SVT News Helsingborg is included in Skåne
SVT Nyheter Södertälje is based in Stockholm.
