Südwestrundfunk (SWR) is one of nine independent, publicly funded regional broadcasting corporations in Germany. It was established in 1998 through the merger of Süddeutscher Rundfunk (SDR, Stuttgart) and Südwestfunk (SWF, Baden-Baden). Prior to this merger, Baden-Württemberg had operated two separate regional broadcasting stations due to the division of occupation zones following World War II. In 1997, Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate signed a broadcasting agreement to consolidate these two corporations into a single entity, motivated primarily by the need to eliminate duplicate administrative structures.
With approximately 3,580 employees, SWR is the second-largest ARD member corporation after WDR. The broadcaster operates regional television programming primarily for Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, and also collaborates with SR (Saarländischer Rundfunk) for programming in Saarland. In 2024, SWR/SR television reached a 6.1% audience share across its entire broadcasting area, including Saarland. In radio and online services, SWR operates six channels: SWR Aktuell, SWR1, SWR Kultur, SWR3, SWR4, and DASDING.
SWR's management consists of an Intendant (Director-General) and nine directors. According to the SWR state broadcasting agreement, the Intendant bears "responsibility for the entire operation and programme design." SWR is also governed by two central bodies: the Broadcasting Council (Rundfunkrat) and the Administrative Council (Verwaltungsrat).
The Broadcasting Council, which monitors compliance with programming principles and advises management on general programming matters, comprises 74 members. Baden-Württemberg appoints 51 members and Rhineland-Palatinate appoints 23. Of these 74 members, 12 are drawn from the state parliaments of both states, while the remaining members represent various societal and cultural interest groups such as trade unions, churches, and sports associations. This composition is designed to reflect the plurality of society and ensure that all interests are represented within the council.
The Administrative Council, responsible for overseeing management in administrative and financial matters and for approving the budget and annual financial statement, comprises 18 members. Ten members are elected by the Broadcasting Council from among its own members, provided they are neither state representatives nor delegates from municipal umbrella associations. Three members are appointed by the Baden-Württemberg state parliament and one by the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament. The governments of both states each appoint one member, and the SWR staff council appoints two members.