Communication & Media in Austria
Telephone
International phone calls are cheaper if you use private
phone companies. You can either use one of the many international
call centres or prepaid cards. Costs vary strongly, it pays
to do some comparison shopping.
In emergencies dial 133 for police, 122 for fire squad
or 144 for medical care. The call is for free, but abuse is
expensive.
Access to internet
In Austria, internet access is often possible via university
or school. If not, all major cities feature numerous internet
cafes. Some pubs and coffee shops offer internet access as
well.
Austrian newspapers
Major national papers include 'Der Standard', 'Salzburger
Nachrichten' and 'Die Presse' covering politics, arts, economics
and sports from liberal to conservative viewpoints. 'Die Kronenzeitung'
is powerful and popular. 'Krone' is running a private radiostation,
too. 'Der Kurier' covers a broad spectre.
'Nachrichten' have a national part but are especially liked
for their in-depth coverage of regional events varying from
federal province to federal province. 'Kleine Zeitung' (Styria),
'Tiroler Tageszeitung' and 'Wiener Zeitung' are some more
regional newspapers.
Many Austrian coffee shops offer a large selection of (international)
newspapers for customers to browse.
Some kiosks, esp. at train stations, offer a wide range of
international newspapers as well.
Austrian magazines
'Profil', 'Format', 'News' and 'trend' are weekly high-gloss
magazines covering politics, sports and culture alike.
There are quite som special interest magazines. However, many
of them are important from Germany. Just Browse!
For those visiting Vienna 'Der Falter' is a vital tool. Appearing
on a weekly basis it features an virtually complete guide
to what's on in Vienna with interesting articles on politics,
arts and culture. It's event database is accessible via internet,
too!
Austrian TV &
radio
ORF is the traditional public broadcasting organisation featuring
two channels (ORF 1 and ORF 2). ATV and TW1 are upstarting
commercial broadcasting outfits.
Commercial German channels like Sat1, 3 Sat and RTL or Arte
with its focus on high-quality films, arts, lifestyle and
documentations are popular as well.
Cable is widespread in Austria's households.
There are 4 public radio stations: OE1 focuses on high-quality
infos, arts and classical music, OE2 features local news and
folkloristic and popular music, OE3 offers the usual blend
of best hits and entertainment and FM4 caters for young people
with an interest in indipendet scenes from rock to hiphop.
Lately, liberalization in media law has opened the market
to various private stations from almost pirate status to commercial
outfits. Most radio stations feature live streaming services
so you can tune in from abroad as well!
Radio Austria International (ROI) is a short-wave radio station
which presents Austria related news in various languages all
over the globe.
Read about the history of the ORF
- Austria's public broadcasting organisation.
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