Danish broadcaster DR’s most memorable April Fools’ jokes through the years

Danish public broadcaster DR has not produced April Fools’ Day pranks in years, but the tradition once brought annual hoaxes to its flagship news program TV Avisen, reports DR. A look back reveals some of the most creative stunts from past decades.

The jokes, aired every April 1, ranged from absurd policy announcements to fictional technological breakthroughs. While the broadcaster has since abandoned the practice, the segments became a well-known part of Danish media culture during their run.

Among the most talked-about pranks was a 1994 report claiming the government would introduce a “snus tax” (a levy on moist snuff tobacco), sparking temporary public outrage. Another year, viewers were told Copenhagen’s iconic Rundetårn (Round Tower) would be dismantled and rebuilt in Billund—home of LEGO—to boost tourism. A 2001 segment falsely announced that Denmark’s national football team would switch to playing in badminton shoes for better agility, complete with “expert” analysis.

Technological hoaxes also featured prominently. In the 1980s, DR convinced some viewers that color TV licenses would soon require an additional fee for “black-and-white compatibility mode.” A later prank declared that Denmark’s mobile networks would adopt a new standard—only for left-handed users—citing dubious “ergonomic research.”

The tradition faded as media landscapes changed, with DR eventually opting to discontinue the annual jokes. No official reason was given for ending the practice.