Strike shuts down live output

Staff at Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo) began a 24-hour strike at midnight on Tuesday, 3 November, according to Czech public media reports (Medienpolitik - Streik bei öffentlich-rechtlichen Medien in Tschechien wegen Rundfunkreform – Deutschlandfunk) (Pracovníci Českej televízie a Českého rozhlasu štrajkujú. Vysielanie výrazne obmedzili, chystajú aj protesty v uliciach – STVR). The action was called by the Veřejnoprávně initiative, backed by trade unions in both broadcasters, and most employees in both organisations reportedly joined it (Obrazem: „Pro vás, ne pro politiky.“ Stávka v televizi a rozhlase – Seznam Zprávy).

By morning, newsroom desks at ČT were largely empty and the studios were dimmed. The news on ČT24 was read from paper by a presenter without video or pictures, and most of the day's schedule consisted of archived programmes (Ticho, klid a prázdné židle. Newsroom ČT potemněl na protest proti krokům vlády – iDNES.cz) (FOTO: Pohled do setmělých studií ČT během stávky – Novinky.cz). Flagship shows including the main evening news bulletin Události, the morning programme Studio 6 and the current affairs series Sama doma and Černé ovce were not broadcast. On radio, many stations replaced regular shows with music and repeats (Na antenie powtórki i muzyka. 24-godzinny strajk w czeskich mediach – RMF24).

The strike was opened on ČT24 by a special news programme moderated by news editor-in-chief Michal Kubal and Daniel Stach, the public face of the initiative, both dressed in black. They read out the reasons for the walkout and then switched to archive footage (Zastavili vysielanie, aby bránili svoju slobodu. Českými médiami otriasa ostrý štrajk – Aktuality.sk).

Dispute over funding

The government coalition wants to abolish the licence fees that finance both broadcasters and move their funding into the state budget (Čeho chce ČT a rozhlas dosáhnout stávkou? Kubal odpovídá – Seznam Zprávy). Staff argue that the plan lacks public debate, would cut budgets and would undermine the independence of the two media. Organisers said they would call off the strike if a serious emergency arose that threatened lives, health or public safety.

The stoppage drew public attention beyond the studios, with protests planned in the streets. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has rejected the criticism of the plan.

Key figures

• Strike length: 24 hours, starting at midnight
• Main affected programmes at ČT: Události, Studio 6, Sama doma, Černé ovce

Read also

• Co inni piszą o Czechach – 3 listopada 2026