Economy, Communications

Radio, television, and telephone systems were all state monopolies until the broadcasting system was converted into a joint-stock company in December 1957. The Austrian Broadcasting Company provides three radio and two television services. In 1997 there were 751 radios and 525 televisions licensed per 1,000 persons.

Telephone communications are directed by the Austrian postal service. In 2000 there were 467 telephone mainlines for every 1,000 persons. Some 17 daily newspapers are published; daily newspaper circulation averages 2.4 million. Newspapers with a national circulation include Wiener Zeitung (the oldest daily newspaper in the world), Neue Kronen-Zeitung, Kurier, Der Standard, and Die Presse, all published in Vienna; and Salzburger Nachrichten, published in Salzburg.