Yle’s result in 2024 was better than budgeted as a result of cost-cutting measures

Yle’s result for the period varies annually. The result for the period 2024 was better than budgeted, as Yle initiated immediate cost-cutting measures in accordance with the funding guidelines of the parliamentary working group on Yle.

Yle has published extensive reports on its operations in 2024 on its website. The Board of the company signed the Board's report and financial statements at its meeting on 17 March 2025. Yle’s Administrative Council discussed the financial statements at its meeting on 25 March 2025. Yle has published its Annual Report for 2024 on its website.

"To respond to the requirement of the parliamentary working group on Yle to increase the transparency of the company's operations, Yle expanded its annual reporting in 2024. For the first time, we are publishing unit-specific results for the year, among other information. Yle will continue to develop its reporting in accordance with the guidelines of the working group’s report in the coming years," says Yle’s CEO Merja Ylä-Anttila.

Following the report of the parliamentary working group on Yle, the company initiated immediate cost-cutting measures to achieve the estimated savings of approximately EUR 66 million required by the parliamentary working group. As part of the savings measures pursuant to the decision of the Board, Yle will not pay result bonuses for 2024–2025 or incentive rewards for the last incentive reward round of 2024 or 2025. In addition, the company began change negotiations in November 2024, which affected personnel extensively in the company’s different content units, technology unit and corporate functions. As a result of the change negotiations, the company’s total number of employees was reduced by a total of 309.

Yle invested heavily in the development of digital services; more than half of all Finnish feature films are funded by Yle

The year 2024 was a busy one for Yle thanks to major news events and international sports competitions. In news, the two-round presidential elections in Finland, the 2024 European Parliament elections and the US presidential elections were among major events. The summer sports programme included the European Athletics Championships in Rome, the European Football Championship in Germany and the Olympic Games in Paris. The development of digital services was continued and operations were streamlined, for example by utilising artificial intelligence. Finns widely adopted the Yle ID.

As in previous years, Yle purchased drama, entertainment, documentaries and factual content from Finnish production companies. The company spent approximately EUR 100.2 million (2023: 97.1) on purchased content and programme services, such as domestic broadcasting rights, copyright fees and music broadcasting fees.

During the year, Yle funded 12 Finnish feature films, 12 Finnish documentaries and 14 Finnish short films. More than half of all Finnish feature films are made with the help of funding from Yle.

The company’s operating profit for the accounting period was EUR 0.7 million, the result varies annually

Yle’s turnover in 2024 was EUR 546.0 million (2023: 527.3), showing an increase of 3.5 per cent from the previous year. Other operating income was EUR 2.4 million (2.3). All income in total was EUR 548.4 million (529.6), of which the Yle tax-based appropriation accounted for 98.4 per cent (98.8).

The operating profit for the accounting period was EUR 0.7 million (4.9) and the loss for the period was EUR 0.8 million (4.3). The result of the period was better than the budget.

Yle’s result for the financial year varies annually. This is due to, for example, major sports championships and the related broadcasting rights which Yle acquires to make it possible for all Finns to watch these events. Yle manages its finances in such a way that any annual performance fluctuations offset each other and the company’s finances remain stable over the long term.

Yle’s total expenses in 2024 were EUR 549.2 million (525,3). Personnel costs amounted to EUR 255.4 million (248.4), and their share of all costs was 46.5 per cent (47.3). Personnel costs increased by 2.8 per cent from the previous year, due to salary increases under collective agreements and the increase in pension costs. In all employment relationships, the number of person-years decreased from the previous year by 17 person-years to 3,343 person-years (2023: 3,360 person-years).

Other operating expenses totalled EUR 198.1 million (197.1). Other operating expenses included EUR 25.3 million (24.3) in payments to collective management organisations representing music makers, record producers and performing artists. Yle is the largest single payer of music royalties in Finland.

The company collaborates extensively with different operators in the media sector and maintains the vitality of the Finnish creative industry. EUR 13.7 million (14.3) was paid in broadcasting right fees, rebroadcasting fees and other fees related to programme rights. Other broadcasting services were purchased for a total of EUR 24.1 million (22.8). Distribution costs increased to EUR 31.5 million (30.9). Technology expenses amounted to EUR 46.4 million (49.0). Leasing and property costs were EUR 24.1 million (22.3).

Yle's tax footprint was EUR 100.6 million in 2024, all of which remains in Finland.

Yle’s annual reports can be found on the company’s website at https://yle.fi/aihe/about-yle/annual-reports.