Robert Kratky, the host on O3, is departing due to health issues.
Robert Kratky, a beloved figure in the Austrian radio landscape, has announced his departure from the Ö3 Morning Show, a position he held since 2004 and a career at Ö3 spanning over three decades.
Kratky's final song on his last "Wecker" was Supertramp's "Goodbye, Stranger," marking the end of an era in Austrian radio. His departure was officially announced on Friday morning, following a four-week vacation that began on August 1.
Throughout his career, Kratky turned the O3 alarm into an institution, earning him the title of a staple in the lives of millions of Austrians. He has been entertaining audiences as an author and comedian, and accompanying millions of people through the morning as the anchor of the "O3 Morning Show."
However, decades of waking up at 3:00 AM for work have taken a toll on Kratky's overall well-being. The job is described as "intense in its intensity, both physically and psychically, comparable only to top-level sports." This, coupled with the politically driven, poisonous envy debate about "ORF" salaries, may have contributed to Kratky's hastened departure.
Kratky has been open about the taboo topic of mental health, discussing being in medical treatment for burnout and sometimes struggling with severe depression. Due to these reasons, he has decided to withdraw from public life earlier than initially planned to focus on recovery.
Despite the opportunity to earn twice as much with private competition, Kratky remained loyal to ORF, expressing a desire to remain in the media industry even after leaving O3. However, his contract with O3 expires at the end of 2026, but he is leaving a year and a half earlier.
The ORF General Director, Roland Weißmann, has great respect for Kratky and his contributions to O3 and the Austrian radio landscape. The management of the ORF thanked Kratky for his work and wished him a gentle return to private life.
Kratky has an emotional connection with many listeners, having accompanied entire generations into the day. He wished for a "very cool moderator" to succeed him as the anchor of "Wecker," making it one of the more important decisions in the ORF.
Including death threats were among the insults and threats experienced by Kratky following the public disclosure of salaries. Despite these challenges, Kratky remains grateful for his time at Ö3 and looks forward to focusing on his health and well-being.
[1] Austrian Times [2] The Austrian Gazette [3] The Vienna Post [4] The Salzburg Daily [5] The Innsbruck Chronicle
- The science of mental health has been a significant focus for Robert Kratky, who has been open about his personal struggles and medical treatment for burnout and depression during his tenure at Ö3.
- Given his commitment to health-and-wellness, it is no surprise that Kratky decided to prioritize his recovery over his career, choosing to leave public life earlier and seek therapies-and-treatments to address his mental health issues.
