Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina

{{Short description|Bosnian public radio and television broadcaster}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2026}} {{Redirect-acronym|BHRT|bioidentical hormone replacement therapy}}

{{Infobox broadcasting network | name = Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina | logo = Logo of BHRT (1998-).svg | logo_size = 250px | image = Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) building, Sarajevo.jpg | image_size = 300px | caption = BHRT headquarters in Sarajevo | type = Public broadcaster | country = Bosnia and Herzegovina | airdate = {{Start date and age|1945|04|10|df=y}} (radio)<br />{{Start date and age|1961|06|01|df=y}} (television) | available = National; worldwide through selected online and IPTV services | tvstations = BHT1 | radiostations = BH Radio 1 | headquarters = RTV Dom, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | key_people = Belmin Karamehmedović, director-general | former_names = RTV Sarajevo<br />RTVBiH<br />Public Broadcasting Service of BiH | affiliation = European Broadcasting Union | website = {{URL|https://bhrt.ba}} | language = Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian }}

'''Radiotelevizija Bosne i Hercegovine''' ('''BHRT'''; '''Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina''') is the state-level public broadcaster of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It operates the television channel BHT1, the radio station BH Radio 1, the Music Production unit of BHRT and online services.<ref name="BHRTAbout">{{Cite web |title=BHRT – Javni radiotelevizijski servis Bosne i Hercegovine |url=https://www.bhrt.ba/bhrt |access-date=1 June 2026 |website=BHRT |language=bs}}</ref>

BHRT is part of the public broadcasting system of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the entity broadcasters Radio and Television of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RTVFBiH) and Radio Television of Republika Srpska (RTRS). It is the only member of the European Broadcasting Union from Bosnia and Herzegovina. As of 2026, BHRT employed about 700 people.<ref name="Reuters2026">{{Cite news |date=26 February 2026 |title=Bosnia state TV halts programmes to protest over funding crisis |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-finance-reporting/bosnia-state-tv-halts-programmes-protest-over-funding-crisis-2026-02-26/ |access-date=1 June 2026 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

== History ==

=== RTV Sarajevo === The development of electronic media in Bosnia and Herzegovina began on 10 April 1945, when Radio Sarajevo made its first broadcast.<ref name="MediaRadio">{{Cite web |date=13 February 2013 |title=Svjetski dan radija |url=https://www.media.ba/bs/magazin-tehnike-i-forme/svjetski-dan-radija |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Media.ba |language=bs}}</ref> Television Sarajevo began broadcasting on 1 June 1961. It later became one of the republican broadcasting centres of Yugoslav Radio Television (JRT).<ref name="BHRTAbout" />

During the 1960s and 1970s, RTV Sarajevo expanded its programming and technical capacity. The television news magazine ''Večernji ekran'' began in 1969, while the main television news programme ''TV Dnevnik'' was launched in 1971.<ref name="MediaRadio" /> The local radio station Sarajevo 202 began broadcasting in 1971 and became associated with Sarajevo's urban and youth culture.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 December 2009 |title=Gašenje ili nastavak rada u novim okvirima? |url=https://www.media.ba/bs/etikaregulativa-novinarstvo-etika/gasenje-ili-nastavak-rada-u-novim-okvirima |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Media.ba |language=bs}}</ref>

The first phase of the RTV Dom broadcasting centre in Sarajevo was completed in the 1970s, providing RTV Sarajevo with new production and technical facilities. RTV Sarajevo was also involved in the broadcasting of the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, which required significant technical expansion and new production facilities.<ref name="BHRT80">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OulYPqteBN4 |title=80 godina BHRT-a: Ogledalo društva |date=5 April 2025 |publisher=BHRT |access-date=17 November 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

In the second half of the 1980s, RTV Sarajevo became known for music, entertainment and youth programming. It produced music videos and television material connected with the Sarajevo pop and rock scene, including artists such as Crvena Jabuka, Plavi Orkestar and Dino Merlin.<ref name="BalkanInsight">{{Cite web |last=Hujic |first=Lida |date=30 April 2025 |title=Made in Sarajevo: When Bosnia's Public Broadcaster was a Media Innovator |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2025/04/30/made-in-sarajevo-when-bosnias-public-broadcaster-was-a-media-innovator/ |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Balkan Insight}}</ref> The Youth Programme of Radio Sarajevo 2, launched in 1987, included satirical and alternative programming associated with ''Top lista nadrealista'' and other Sarajevo cultural projects.<ref name="BalkanInsight" />

=== Bosnian War === After the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the outbreak of the Bosnian War in 1992, RTV Sarajevo continued operating under wartime conditions as Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RTVBiH). Several secondary radio and television services were suspended, while broadcasting was consolidated around the main radio and television services.

The RTV Dom building in Sarajevo was damaged during the war and was repeatedly exposed to shelling. Despite the damage and wartime conditions, RTVBiH continued broadcasting from Sarajevo. On 1 January 1993, RTVBiH was admitted as an active member of the European Broadcasting Union.<ref name="BHRT80" />

=== Post-war restructuring === After the war, Bosnia and Herzegovina's public broadcasting system was restructured under decisions of the Office of the High Representative. On 23 October 2000, High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch imposed the Public Broadcasting System Restructuring Act, which reorganised the former RTVBiH into a state-level broadcaster and two entity-level broadcasters.<ref name="OHR2000">{{Cite web |title=Public Broadcasting System Restructuring Act |url=http://www.pbsbih.ba/onama/odluka.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040811212938/http://www.pbsbih.ba/onama/odluka.html |archive-date=11 August 2004 |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Public Broadcasting Service of BiH}}</ref>

The state-level broadcaster was established as the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, later known as BHRT. The entity broadcasters became Radio and Television of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Radio Television of Republika Srpska.<ref name="OHR2000" />

BH Radio 1 began broadcasting on 7 May 2001. The first news programme of BHT1 was broadcast on 7 May 2002.<ref name="BHRTAbout" /><ref name="BHT2002">{{Cite web |title=BH TV 1 |url=http://www.pbsbih.ba/BH_TV_1/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803174747/http://www.pbsbih.ba/BH_TV_1/index.html |archive-date=3 August 2002 |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Public Broadcasting Service of BiH}}</ref> In August 2004, BHT1 began broadcasting on its own national frequencies, with coverage of more than 90% of the country.<ref name="BHRTAbout" />

== Organisation == BHRT is the state-level component of the public broadcasting system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It operates:

* BHT1, a state-level public television channel; * BH Radio 1, a state-level public radio station; * MP BHRT, the broadcaster's music production unit; * online and multimedia services.

Most BHRT production is based at RTV Dom in Sarajevo. The broadcaster has also developed information and technical centres in cities including Bihać, Banja Luka, Mostar, Tuzla and Zenica.<ref name="BHRT80" />

The wider public broadcasting system also includes RTVFBiH and RTRS. The system was designed to coordinate financing, transmission and programme responsibilities, but its operation has often been affected by political disputes, institutional deadlock and disagreements over the collection and distribution of the RTV licence fee.<ref name="Media2025">{{Cite web |date=17 September 2025 |title=Jedna taksa, tri servisa, bezbroj problema: Kako riješiti krizu javnog RTV sistema u BiH |url=https://www.media.ba/bs/magazin-medijska-politika-regulativa/jedna-taksa-tri-servisa-bezbroj-problema-kako-rijesiti-krizu |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Media.ba |language=bs}}</ref>

== Funding crisis == BHRT has faced a prolonged financial crisis caused by disputes over the public broadcasting fee, unpaid debts, legal disputes between public broadcasters and political disagreement over the future of the broadcasting system.

The public broadcasting system is funded partly through a monthly RTV fee. Under the system, BHRT is entitled to a share of fees collected by the entity broadcasters. However, RTRS has not regularly transferred BHRT's share of the fee collected in Republika Srpska, which has contributed to large accumulated debts.<ref name="Reuters2026" /> Reuters reported in February 2026 that RTRS owed BHRT more than 104 million convertible marks.<ref name="Reuters2026" />

BHRT has also accumulated debts to employees, suppliers, utility companies and the European Broadcasting Union. In 2026, Reuters reported that BHRT owed about 100 million convertible marks in total and that the broadcaster's financial position threatened its ability to continue operating.<ref name="Reuters2026" /> The European Parliament also noted in April 2026 that BHRT reportedly carried debts of around €51 million, including debt to the European Broadcasting Union.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 2026 |title=Financial crisis of Bosnia and Herzegovina's public broadcaster BHRT |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2026-001450_EN.html |access-date=1 June 2026 |website=European Parliament}}</ref>

BHRT has repeatedly warned that the crisis could result in account blockages, loss of services, non-payment of salaries and interruption of broadcasting. The broadcaster and its trade union have appealed to state institutions for urgent financial and legal measures.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2025 |title=Open letter: Bosnian public broadcaster BHRT in the final stage of collapse, EU must take swift action |url=https://europeanjournalists.org/blog/2025/11/27/open-letter-bosnian-public-broadcaster-bhrt-in-the-final-stage-of-collapse-eu-must-take-swift-action/ |access-date=1 June 2026 |website=European Federation of Journalists}}</ref>

On 26 February 2026, BHRT suspended most regular programming and displayed a warning screen about the possible shutdown of the public service. News bulletins continued to be broadcast.<ref name="Reuters2026" /><ref name="N12026">{{Cite web |date=26 February 2026 |title=BHRT airs black screen today instead of its regular program, warns of imminent shutdown |url=https://n1info.ba/english/news/bhrt-airs-black-screen-today-instead-of-its-regular-program-warns-of-imminent-shutdown/ |access-date=1 June 2026 |website=N1}}</ref> The action was described by BHRT as a warning about the absence of a systemic funding solution.<ref name="N12026" />

International organisations have expressed concern about the crisis. The European Union delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina warned that the collapse of BHRT would damage the country's democratic standards and its European integration process.<ref name="Reuters2026" />

== Editorial and political issues == BHRT and the public broadcasting system have often been the subject of political disputes. Public broadcasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina operate in a divided media and political environment, and their financing, management appointments and editorial policies have been criticised by domestic and international observers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2024 |title=Između repriznog programa: Javni servisi kao taoci političkih interesa |url=https://tacno.net/izmedu-repriznog-programa-javni-servisi-kao-taoci-politickih-interesa/ |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Tačno.net |language=bs}}</ref>

Political officials from different parties have criticised BHRT's editorial policy at various times. Officials from Republika Srpska, including Milorad Dodik, have repeatedly opposed the state-level broadcaster and the public broadcasting fee, while BHRT has accused political actors of undermining the legal financing system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2011 |title=Otvoreno pismo BHRT Miloradu Dodiku |url=https://radiosarajevo.ba/metromahala/teme/otvoreno-pismo-bhrt-miloradu-dodiku/69720 |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Radio Sarajevo |language=bs}}</ref>

Relations between BHRT and the entity broadcasters have also been strained. In May 2024, BHRT temporarily interrupted the signal of Federal Television over unpaid transmission services. A court ordered the signal to be restored, and the dispute became part of the wider debate over debts and responsibilities within the public broadcasting system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2024 |title=Sud donio hitnu mjeru: BHRT mora pustiti signal FTV-u, nastavak programa u 19:30 |url=https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/sud-donio-hitnu-mjeru-bhrt-mora-pustiti-signal-ftv-u-nastavak-programa-u-19-30/240508141 |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Klix.ba |language=bs}}</ref>

== Digital broadcasting == Bosnia and Herzegovina's transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television has been delayed for many years. The country missed the international digital switchover deadline of 17 June 2015, and the process was slowed by disputes over procurement, transmission infrastructure and control of the digital network.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2015 |title=Posljedice blokade procesa digitalizacije: Sinoć ugašen prvi predajnik |url=https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/posljedice-blokade-procesa-digitalizacije-sinoc-ugasen-prvi-predajnik/150617056 |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Klix.ba |language=bs}}</ref>

Limited test digital broadcasting by the three public broadcasters began in October 2016 in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2016 |title=Historijski trenutak: Javni RTV servisi u BiH počeli emitiranje testnog digitalnog signala |url=https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/historijski-trenutak-javni-rtv-servisi-u-bih-poceli-emitiranje-testnog-digitalnog-signala/161014051 |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Klix.ba |language=bs}}</ref> The wider rollout remained incomplete for several years. In 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina began switching off a number of analogue transmitters following interference complaints related to neighbouring countries' digital and mobile networks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Šta se desilo u Bosni i Hercegovini nakon gašenja analognog signala |url=https://bhrt.ba/%C5%A1ta-se-desilo-u-bosnii-hercegovini-nakon-ga%C5%A1enja-analognog-signala |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=BHRT |language=bs}}</ref>

A renewed digitalisation process began in the mid-2020s. In 2025, DVB-T2 broadcasting was launched in Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka, with further expansion planned through a network of transmission sites.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 June 2025 |title=Forto: U Sarajevu, Mostaru i Banjoj Luci će do 1. jula biti pušten digitalni signal prema najnovijem standardu |url=https://www.klix.ba/biznis/privreda/forto-u-sarajevu-mostaru-i-banjoj-luci-ce-do-1-jula-biti-pusten-digitalni-signal-prema-najnovijem-standardu/250604068 |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Klix.ba |language=bs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 September 2025 |title=Most u digitalni 21. vijek: Na Vlašiću postavljen najveći antenski sistem u zemlji |url=https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/most-u-digitalni-21-vijek-na-vlasicu-postavljen-najveci-antenski-sistem-u-zemlji/250912140 |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Klix.ba |language=bs}}</ref>

== Archives == BHRT holds a large audiovisual and sound archive inherited from RTV Sarajevo and RTVBiH. The archive includes radio and television material from the Yugoslav period, the Bosnian War and the post-war period. It is used by journalists, researchers, filmmakers and cultural institutions.<ref name="Archive2025">{{Cite web |date=9 April 2025 |title=Čuvari arhivskog blaga BHRT-a |url=https://media.ba/bs/magazin-novinarstvo/cuvari-arhivskog-blaga-bhrt |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Media.ba |language=bs}}</ref>

The archive faces preservation problems because much of the material is stored on older analogue formats. BHRT archivists have warned that parts of the collection require urgent digitisation and that some material is difficult to access because playback equipment is obsolete or no longer functional.<ref name="Archive2025" /><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA71tjaqrRY |title=Blago koje nestaje |date=27 October 2024 |publisher=BHRT |access-date=17 November 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website|https://bhrt.ba}} * [https://op.bhrt.ba Official BHRT Youth Programme website] * [https://www.youtube.com/@BHRT Official BHRT YouTube channel]

Category:Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina Category:European Broadcasting Union members Category:Multilingual broadcasters Category:Publicly funded broadcasters Category:Radio stations established in 1945 Category:Television channels and stations established in 1961 Category:Television networks in Bosnia and Herzegovina Category:1945 establishments in Yugoslavia Category:Government-owned companies of Bosnia and Herzegovina