Czech television moderator Václav Moravec is seeking a way to avoid paying a six-month severance fee to the public broadcaster following his recent resignation, according to reports.
Moravec, who announced his departure from Czech Television (ČT) on March 10, 2026, after 21 years with the network, is subject to a non-compete clause that prevents him from working in other media for six months. ČT would continue to compensate him during that period.
The situation highlights the complexities of contracts between public broadcasters and prominent on-air personalities.
Moravec stated he contacted ČT leadership to forgo the payment, arguing he did not want to be a financial burden on the public broadcaster. His request was denied.
“I contacted leadership that I don’t want a single crown from license holders after March 9,” Moravec told the Czech News Agency. “My lawyers are now resolving this.”
He expressed concern that the continued payments would be a sensitive issue for some who fund the network through television license fees. “For me, it is key to discover a way with my lawyers so that we do not give an excuse to part of the public to attack ČT,” he added.
ČT declined to comment on the matter. A spokesperson told news outlet Novinky.cz that the details are “very internal information that we will not publish.”
Sunday Debate to Proceed as Planned
Moravec announced his resignation during his final broadcast of “Questions with Václav Moravec” (OVM) on March 10, 2026, citing concerns about maintaining editorial independence under current conditions. He also said he had faced weeks of pressure.
During that broadcast, Moravec hosted Tomio Okamura, the leader of the SPD party and the Chamber of Deputies, for the first time in nine years, after his team had previously declined to invite him.
ČT leadership subsequently disputed Moravec’s claims of a lack of editorial independence and criticized the manner of his departure.
Moravec has reportedly received several job offers from major media outlets and is expected to meet with representatives in the coming weeks. He is also considering launching an independent podcast.
Despite Moravec’s departure, Czech Television will proceed with a two-hour discussion program on the state budget this Sunday, to be moderated by Lukáš Dolanský and Vanda Kofroňová.
Invited guests include Patrik Nacher (ANO), Jan Skopeček (ODS), Jiří Barták (Motoristé), Lukáš Vlček (STAN), Olga Richterová (Pirates) and Radim Fiala (SPD).
ČT is still determining the format of a regular Sunday discussion program for future weeks, according to spokesperson Michal Pleskot.
