ORF RadioKulturhaus

What ORF RadioKulturhaus does

ORF RadioKulturhaus is a publicly funded cultural venue and event space in Vienna operated by ORF (Österreichischer Rundfunk), Austria's statutory public broadcaster, as part of its cultural programming division. Founded as a venue in 1997 within a building dating from 1935–39, it functions as ORF's primary live-performance platform outside its broadcast studios, hosting concerts, literary events, jazz and cabaret programming, and contemporary art interventions such as the Golif urban-art installation launched in April 2025.

The venue operates the heritage Großer Sendesaal — a concert hall with landmark-protected 1930s leather seating scheduled for restoration in 2026 — alongside smaller halls, supporting an annual programming slate of approximately 280 events featuring around 500 artists and attracting roughly 24,500 visitors. Its output extends beyond live performance: events feed into ORF's broadcast infrastructure, generating approximately 213 hours of radio content and 70 hours of television content annually. Distribution partnerships with FM4 (concert recording and broadcast) and oeticket (ticketing) extend its reach beyond the physical venue, while structural integration with RSO Wien (Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien), consolidated under the 2022 Hauptabteilung Koordination Kulturprogramme, aligns orchestral and chamber programming with the venue's calendar.

Commercially, ORF RadioKulturhaus is funded primarily through ORF's statutory public-broadcaster budget rather than independent revenue generation. Direct income streams include ticket sales at typical prices in the EUR 15–35 range, Freund*in membership cards priced EUR 25–42 annually, venue rentals, and ancillary concessions. The business model is therefore a mission-driven public-service model: maximize cultural output and broadcast content per ORF public-value objectives rather than optimize for commercial revenue. The venue functions as both a cultural amenity for Vienna audiences and a production asset for ORF's linear broadcast channels.

Name

ORF RadioKulturhaus

Legal name

Österreichischer Rundfunk, Stiftung öffentlichen Rechts

Website

https://radiokulturhaus.orf.at

Company type

Public

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ORF RadioKulturhaus is a publicly funded Vienna cultural venue and live-event platform operated by Austria's public broadcaster ORF, hosting roughly 280 concerts and cultural events annually for about 24,500 visitors and feeding content into ORF's radio and television channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Cultural Venue and Broadcasting Production Hub

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Venues & Venue Operators (Clubs, Theaters, Arenas) (MPAIAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL), Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ)

Keywords

• Live cultural events
• Concert hall venue
• Public broadcasting hub
• Venue rental services
• Music performance programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for concerts, discussions, and events held at the venue. Tickets sold through oeticket online platform, at the box office (Kartenbüro), and through Ö1 Club discounts.
2. Venue Rental: The venue is rented out for corporate events, press conferences, conferences, concerts, and theater rehearsals. Features include professional audio/video recording capabilities and live streaming options.
3. ORF RadioKulturhaus-Karte Membership: Annual membership cards offering 50% discount on tickets. Single person: EUR 25/year; Two persons: EUR 42/year. Includes additional benefits like ORF Shop discounts and free program magazine 'Heimspiel'.
4. Cross-Media Content Production for ORF: The venue serves as ORF's cultural content production hub, creating programming for Ö1, FM4, ORF III, and ORF ON streaming platform. This supports ORF's public service mandate rather than generating direct external revenue.
5. RadioCafe Operations: The on-site cafe operated by a concessionaire (Askin Dogan), serving as both a hospitality venue and event space for live broadcasts and discussions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ORF RadioKulturhaus operates a historic cultural venue in Vienna hosting approximately 278 live events per year with 500+ artists across classical, jazz, contemporary, and popular music genres. It functions simultaneously as a concert hall, recording studio, and broadcasting production hub for ORF's radio (Ö1, FM4), television (ORF III), and streaming (ORF ON) channels, producing 213 radio hours and 70 TV hours annually. The venue also offers paid venue rental services for corporate events, press conferences, and conferences.

Product overview

ORF RadioKulturhaus is a cultural venue operated by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) located at Argentinierstraße 30 in Vienna's 4th district. The facility comprises three main event spaces: the Großer Sendesaal (large concert hall) for symphonic, pop, and rock concerts; Studios 2 and 3 for contemporary music, electronic, and jazz performances; and the RadioCafe serving as café, bar, and intimate event space. The venue hosts approximately 278 events annually with 500 artists, producing 213 radio hours and 70 TV hours of content. Supporting offerings include the ORF RadioKulturhaus-Karte (annual membership with 50% ticket discounts), the Heimspiel program magazine, and venue rental services for corporate and cultural events. The venue also serves as home to the ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RadioCafe: Modern Viennese Beisl serving as cafe, bar, and event venue within the ORF RadioKulturhaus complex, operated by Askin Dogan.
• Heimspiel

Products and services

• Großer Sendesaal Concerts and Events The flagship concert and event hall of ORF RadioKulturhaus, built 1935-39 by Clemens Holzmeister. Features landmark-protected leather armchairs designed for radio recording acoustics and intimate audience proximity. Hosts symphonic, pop, jazz, contemporary, and rock concerts, as well as discussions and recordings, producing 213 radio hours and 70 TV hours of content annually for ORF channels.
• Studio 2 and Studio 3 Recordings Recording studios for Neue Musik (contemporary music), Elektronik (electronic), and Jazz performances. Used for intimate concerts and live broadcasts. Studio 3 also serves as the venue for FM4 Radio Sessions and provides access through the Hofeinfahrt Argentinierstraße 30.
• RadioCafe Modern Viennese Beisl within the ORF RadioKulturhaus complex operated by concessionaire Askin Dogan. Functions as cafe, bar, and event venue hosting Ö1 literature events, discussion rounds, and small concerts. Offers weekly changing lunch menus Monday to Friday and evening snacks.
• ORF RadioKulturhaus-Karte (Annual Membership) Annual membership card providing 50% discount on tickets for one person (EUR 25/year) or two persons (EUR 42/year). Includes free subscription to the Heimspiel program magazine (5x per year) and 10% discount at ORF Shop, plus 10% off RSO membership.
• FM4 Radio Sessions Concert Series Concert series featuring collaborations between FM4 artists and the ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien. Recordings are broadcast on FM4 and ORF III, with streams available on ORF ON for six months post-broadcast.
• Live@RKH Concert Series Concert series featuring Austrian artists and musicians performing live at ORF RadioKulturhaus. Concert recordings are regularly broadcast on ORF III, Soundcheck, and ORF ON, with 263 of 278 annual events featuring Austrian musicians.
• Die Tafelrunde Satirical Show ORF III satirical show hosted by Gerald Fleischhacker, recorded in the Großer Sendesaal. Four of Austria's comedians discuss politics, business, and culture monthly, with episodes broadcast on ORF III and available on ORF ON for six months.
• Aus dem Archiv Talk Series Series where notable personalities discuss career highlights with Christian Reichhold and Regina Nassiri. Produced in cooperation with ORF III and the ORF Multimedia Archive, with episodes recorded for ORF television and available on ORF ON.
• Venue Rental Services Rental of ORF RadioKulturhaus spaces including Großer Sendesaal, Studios 2 and 3, and RadioCafe for corporate events, press conferences, customer events, conferences, discussions, concerts, and theater rehearsals. Features landmark-protected 1935-39 Clemens Holzmeister architecture combined with modern technology, professional audio/video recording, and live streaming capabilities, with external catering coordination available.

Quantifiable outcome

• 278 events annually with 24,500 visitors and 500 artists performing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Golif (Urban Art Artist)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Urban-art artist created artistic intervention in RadioKulturhaus entrance areas since April 2025. Eleven life-sized and three oversized sculptures installed to guide visitors while adding artistic atmosphere. Created in response to changed property situation requiring new wayfinding system.
• oeticket (CTS Eventim Austria GmbH)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary online ticket sales partner. The oeticket platform handles online ticket purchases for RadioKulturhaus events. Additional Vorverkaufsstellen (advance ticket outlets) operated by oeticket provide physical ticket purchasing options. Standard oeticket fees may apply for purchases through these outlets.
• ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien (RSO Wien)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSO Wien is the resident orchestra at RadioKulturhaus, using the Großer Sendesaal as its primary rehearsal and recording venue. The orchestra performs approximately 63 concerts annually. Since 2022, RSO Wien and RadioKulturhaus are organizationally integrated under 'Hauptabteilung Koordination Kulturprogramme' led by Thomas Wohinz to create synergies and strengthen both institutions.
• ORF Marketing & Creation GmbH & Co KG (OMC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOMC operates RadioKulturhaus ticket sales and customer relations in partnership with ORF. Ticket contracts are formed with OMC on behalf of ORF. OMC handles the ORF RadioKulturhaus-Karte program and associated customer data processing.
• RadioCafe Operator (Askin Dogan)minorOthersAskin Dogan operates the RadioCafe as concessionaire. The cafe serves as an on-site hospitality venue and event space for live broadcasts. Dogan previously operated a bar at Rabenhof Theater with high affinity for Austrian cultural scene.
• Catering Partner (for venue rentals)minorOthersExternal catering partner for venue rental events, providing coffee breaks, buffets, and dinners. Details coordinated through rental management.
• The GapminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAustrian music magazine The Gap is a media partner for the Oskar Haag Live@RKH concert, providing promotional support.
• FM4coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFM4 is ORF's alternative music radio station and a key distribution channel. The FM4 Radio Session Archive features recordings from RadioKulturhaus. FM4 airs concert recordings and provides cross-promotional reach for Live@RKH events.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Konzerthaus Berlin: Berlin's flagship concert hall hosting classical, contemporary, jazz, and world music in a heritage building. Comparable model as a publicly supported cultural institution combining classical programming with cross-genre cultural events and broadcast tie-ins.
• Wiener Konzerthaus: Vienna's principal classical and contemporary concert hall hosting multiple genres (classical, jazz, world music) in an intimate historic venue. Direct competitor for Viennese cultural-music audiences and Austrian artist bookings, with comparable programming breadth across classical, contemporary, and popular music.
• BR Kulturhaus (Munich): Bayerischer Rundfunk's Munich cultural venue hosting events and broadcasts for BR's classical and cultural radio programming. Closely comparable as a German public broadcaster's dedicated cultural performance and production facility with radio/TV distribution.
• Elbphilharmonie Hamburg: Hamburg's landmark concert venue operated as a public-sector cultural institution combining classical concerts, crossover programming, and broadcasting partnerships. Comparable as a publicly supported landmark concert venue with diversified programming and broadcast distribution.
• Funkhaus Berlin: Berlin's former GDR broadcasting headquarters now operating as an event and concert venue. Closely comparable as a historic radio broadcasting complex repurposed for live events and cultural production with studio infrastructure.
• Musikverein Wien: Vienna's iconic concert venue and home of the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert; comparable as a historic landmark concert hall hosting classical programming with international broadcast reach. Competes for the same Viennese classical-music audience.
• Volksoper Wien: Vienna's opera and musical theater venue offering popular classical programming at accessible pricing. Comparable as a Vienna-based publicly subsidized cultural venue competing for the same domestic live-performance audience.
• Theater an der Wien: Vienna's opera house producing classical and contemporary productions in a heritage venue. Comparable as a Vienna-based publicly supported performance venue with heritage architecture and broadcast partnerships for ORF.
• BBC Maida Vale Studios: BBC's historic London recording studios hosting live broadcast sessions for BBC Radio. Comparable as a public-broadcaster-owned facility producing radio recordings and live sessions from a dedicated performance space.

Regional players

• Radiokulturhaus (Swiss counterpart at SRF): Swiss public broadcaster SRF operates analogous cultural-event programming through its radio channels. Comparable as a public-broadcaster cultural venue ecosystem, though operating in Switzerland rather than Austria and without a dedicated heritage hall.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ORFRadioKulturhaus
• Instagraminstagram.com/radiokulturhaus/?hl=de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/radiokulturhaus

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ORF RadioKulturhaus