Broadcasting: State decision on broadcasting fees is pending

After months of heated debates, the Prime Ministers are faced with a decision on the amount of the broadcasting fee. The state leaders are also expected to vote on a major reform of public broadcasting on Friday. The outcome is completely unclear, especially when it comes to the broadcasting fee. The positions are far apart. This was evident right from the start of the meeting.

Saxony-Anhalt and Bavaria do not want an increase – they emphasize that reforms must first take effect. Other countries are in favor of an increase, also in view of the long-term effects of reforms and inflation. The monthly broadcasting fee for ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio is currently 18.36 euros.

The new contribution period begins on January 1, 2025. Then, according to an expert recommendation, the broadcasting fee that households and companies pay would have to increase by 58 cents from 18.36 euros per month to 18.94 euros. There is a constitutionally guaranteed procedure behind this. But an agreement between the countries on an increase specifically at the turn of the year is considered almost impossible. If the states fail to reach an agreement, the case could end up before the Federal Constitutional Court. That was already the case in 2021.

Sports rights, fewer channels

The reform that media politicians in the federal states have developed is intended to create structures so that media companies are organized more efficiently and save costs. For example, the plan is to cut smaller TV channels, reduce the number of ARD radio programs and cap spending on sports rights.

At the beginning of the meeting on Thursday in Leipzig, Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) said with a view to an agreement: “How we can find a clever common position is a real brain teaser.” Some representatives of countries with small broadcasters such as Saarländischer Rundfunk pointed out the need for funding.