Broadcasting contribution is to increase soon – demand TV producers

According to a report by the FAZ, the film and TV producers are calling for an early increase in the broadcasting fee. The reason given by the managing director of the producer alliance is the lower revenue and additional costs, as reported by the media portal Meedia.

Reasons for the desired increase in the license fee

During the Corona years 2020 and 2021, the production figures in the film and TV industry rose to record values; the TV stations awarded more orders to support the film industry. There was also help from the government. However, according to the “Alliance of German Producers – Film and Television” the proceeds have fallen. Compared to 2019, sales fell by 39 percent. In addition, producers fear unplanned additional costs due to rising energy and fuel prices. This is a problem not only known to TV producers.

Other cost drivers are the so-called “green shooting” (this means production methods in film production that are as resource-saving as possible) and rising fees. In order to intercept all this, the broadcasting fee should increase – which, as is well known, people pay who are also struggling with rising energy prices. The producer alliance is obviously not thinking about how a further increase in the broadcasting fee will affect people who are having trouble paying their gas bills?

The producers have therefore already contacted the KEF chairman Martin Detzel. Because the KEF , i.e. the commission for determining the financial requirements of broadcasters, regularly determines the financial requirements of public service broadcasting and makes appropriate proposals to the Prime Minister.

KEF is not very enthusiastic about the producer’s wishes

Martin Detzel had already stated in May that he assumed that the broadcasting fee would continue to rise: The broadcasting fee will probably continue to rise – that’s the reason. However, not because of the wishes of the producers. Because the broadcasting fee or its increase is not a “make a wish” event, as Detzel clarifies to the FAZ. Detzel, on the other hand, considers an increase in the license fee to be possible for other reasons: because of the currently high inflation or because of the costs of digitization.

The last increase was in July 2021 to EUR 18.36 per month and has been collected since August 2021. The KEF determines the financial requirements for public service broadcasting and submits a report on this every two years. You can view these reports here.

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