yleisradion

Yleisradio Oy, commonly known as Yle, is Finland’s national public-service broadcasting company. Based in Helsinki, it operates radio, television and online services aimed at providing independent, high-quality programming that informs, educates and entertains for the Finnish public. Yle’s content is produced and distributed in Finnish and Swedish, and it offers services for accessibility and regional programming.

Founded in 1926 to provide national radio broadcasting, Yle expanded to television in the 1950s and gradually developed a multi-channel radio and TV portfolio as well as digital platforms. Today, its operations include several radio networks, multiple television channels and the online streaming service Yle Areena, which hosts live broadcasts and on-demand content ranging from news and documentaries to entertainment and children’s programming. Yle’s news division covers domestic and international events, and the organization supports cultural, educational and informational programming that reflects Finnish society and its linguistic diversity.

Governance and funding: Yle is an independent public broadcaster governed by a board under Finnish law, with editorial independence and public-service obligations. It is funded primarily through public support for broadcasting, historically through a Yle tax system, complemented by other permitted sources. This funding model reinforces Yle’s role as a non-commercial broadcaster dedicated to serving the Finnish public interest.

Impact and relations: As a member of the European Broadcasting Union, Yle participates in international content exchange and collaboration with regional broadcasters, educational institutions and cultural partners to promote high-quality public service media in Finland and beyond.