When the additional cost privilege expires, the usual cable TV subscription also ends for many tenants. Netzwelt will tell you whether there is free basic service even without a new contract.
From July 2024, cable TV reception will no longer be included in the additional costs of rental apartments. (Source: Lenets_Tatsiana/depositphotos.com)
- From July 2024, landlords will no longer be able to bill cable TV fees as additional costs.
- For many tenants, this ends their cable contract; without a new contract, there will no longer be a TV signal from the cable socket.
- A free basic supply of TV signals is only available via antenna, but TV streaming providers also offer free packages.
When the additional cost privilege is suspended this summer, some tenants will have reason to be happy: They will no longer have to pay the fees for unwanted cable TV as part of their additional rental costs, but can switch to cheaper alternatives. Others, however, will be annoyed because they suddenly have to take care of TV reception themselves.
The change is also less positive for households whose cable fees are paid by the office as part of the operating costs due to the additional cost privilege. As soon as the regulation is suspended, there will only be cable television with its own contract – and its costs are not yet covered by citizens’ money and the associated services.
No free public broadcasting via cable
Anyone who is now wondering whether at least the public broadcasters will continue to be seen as usual even without a new cable contract will be disappointed: If the provider stops providing coverage due to a lack of a new contract, there will simply be no TV signal anymore.
But no one has to grudgingly sign a new cable contract with Vodafone or other providers in order to continue watching television – because there are some alternatives to continue watching various TV channels for free.
Reception of public broadcasters via antenna is free
In the past, TV reception via antenna was generally free, but today this only applies to a limited extent: While many people can still remember watching private programs such as RTL and Sat.1 via grandma’s indoor antenna, this is no longer possible.
Since the switch to digital antenna television DVB-T2, you can only receive public broadcasters free of charge, i.e. up to around 20 TV channels, depending on the reception conditions. If you also want to watch private channels via antenna, you need a contract with Freenet TV. For 7.99 euros per month, the number of programs that can be received increases to around 40.
Free television via TV streaming providers If you have a sufficient internet connection and the right playback device, Joyn also offers private TV channels free of charge and without registration. (Source: Screenshot Joyn.de)
If you don’t want to buy an antenna, you can also use the free offers from various TV streaming providers. Their apps can be found on most smart TVs, streaming sticks and app stores for mobile devices. The only requirements for use are a sufficiently strong internet connection and, depending on the provider, the creation of a free user account.
On the Joyn streaming service, you can watch the private channels from the ProSiebenSat.1 group, to which the streaming platform is affiliated, in addition to the public broadcaster offering, even without registering. Other TV streaming providers with free access are waipu.tv and Zattoo.
Satellite TV: reception is generally free
A huge selection of German and foreign TV channels can be received free of charge via a satellite dish. However, the hardware must first be purchased and installed. Installing a satellite dish is not always permitted for tenants, as some rental agreements strictly prohibit work on facades and balconies.
In another article on the topic, we will inform you about the impact of the abolition of the additional cost privilege for homeowners’ associations.
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