A change is imminent at the top of the cultural programming department at Bayerischer Rundfunk. BR Director-General Katja Wildermuth will not be resubmitting the reappointment of the current Head of Cultural Programming, Björn Wilhelm, to the Broadcasting Council. No solid majority could be found in favour of his reappointment.

Wilhelm will remain in post until the end of February 2027. The Broadcasting Council then intends to initiate the standard procedure for filling the post. The Broadcasting Council will decide on his successor on the recommendation of the Director-General.

This appointment is also significant for the film and television industry because, in addition to his role as Head of the Culture Programme Department, Wilhelm has, since November 2024, been the ARD Fiction Coordination is responsible for this. This appointment is therefore also significant in terms of the future strategic direction of the fiction programming within the ARD.

Wildermuth paid tribute to Wilhelm’s work, stating that he had „resolutely and successfully driven forward“ the transformation processes at the BR whilst at the same time setting a clear programme direction.

It is not yet clear who will take over as Head of Cultural Programming in future. BR will launch the recruitment process in the coming months.