Operating losses, estimated at €9.6m in 2007, were also cut by €10.5m from the previous year. The company's turnover increased from €383,5m in 2006 to €385,4m last year.
"As we balanced YLE finances, we also succeeded in increasing efficiency, commented YLE Director General Mikael Jungner (photo). "Right now, compared to the beginning of the decade, YLE is making nearly a third more first broadcasts with personnel shrunk by about a fifth. Given the fact that, at the same time, YLE's market share in all media has either risen or remained the same, we can look upon the challenging year of 2007 as having been a success."
The cost-cutting measures in 2007 affected mostly YLE 24 news channel which stopped broadcasting in April, and YLE Extra which closed down in December. In terms of personnel, 248 permanent contracts came to an end, 122 employees retired and 125 new jobs were provided. YLE has now 3,278 employees in total, of which 83% with permanent contracts.
2007 was a historical year for the company and for Finland, with digital transmission introduced in households on September 1st. The change to digital forced YLE to review its profile and competitiveness. According to Jungner, "the reforms were a success." In 2007, YLE had a daily viewing share of 43.7% and by the end of the year, YLE TV1 was the most popular channel in Finland. YLE Teema doubled its viewing share and YLE FST5 increased its reach to 70%.