Czech TV and radio staff plan Nov. 3 strike, with visible broadcast changes

Czech Television and Czech Radio employees have announced an all-day strike for Tuesday, Nov. 3, warning that viewers will notice changes across television channels, including the most-watched news programs.

The action responds to the governing coalition’s decision to prioritize legislation replacing television and radio license fees with direct state-budget funding. Employees argue that the change would threaten the broadcasters’ independence and financial stability.

Organizers have not yet detailed the broadcast schedule or the precise effects on radio services. They say the protest will be more visible than the 24-hour warning strike held June 22.

Czech Television presenter Daniel Stach, representing the employee initiative Veřejnoprávně, said the strike would be most apparent on the rolling news channel ČT24 but would also affect other channels.

Changes would be evident in all television news programs, including those with the largest audiences, he told ČTK. The action would extend beyond broadcasting, although organizers have yet to explain its full scope.

Stach said the changes would comply with the law. Details will be announced before the protest, and employers must receive the required formal notification.

The Veřejnoprávně initiative says almost 3,200 of approximately 4,250 employees across the two institutions have signed in support of its campaign. That figure does not establish how many will participate in the strike.

The initiative accused the government of pushing through the funding overhaul before meaningful public discussion could take place. It called on people concerned about the broadcasters’ future to make their opposition publicly known.

The coalition of ANO, SPD and the Motorists secured priority consideration of the bill Friday. MPs also authorized overnight and Saturday proceedings.

The proposal would replace license-fee funding with a combined CZK 7.8 billion from the state budget—approximately CZK 1.4 billion, or 15 percent, below the funding level described in the proposal’s comparison.

Czech Television’s total budget this year is CZK 8.5 billion. Director General Hynek Chudárek has warned that reductions in future years would limit the services it can provide.

Unions representing both broadcasters criticized the absence of an expert debate about the role of public-service media. They said the institutions’ directors had simply been told how much money they would receive.

Czech Television’s management also expressed concern about Friday’s parliamentary proceedings.

The government rejects claims that the overhaul threatens editorial independence, while employee representatives and opposition parties argue that reliance on state-budget decisions would increase political vulnerability.

The planned strike follows the June warning action and comes amid wider public protests over the bill. Its precise impact on individual programs remains to be announced; organizers have not described it as a complete broadcasting shutdown.