From 2025 to 18.94 euros
Commission recommends increasing the broadcasting fee
February 23, 2024, 2:05 p.m
How high should the broadcasting fee be? The topic is a constant source of controversy among the federal states. An independent commission of experts is now presenting a recommendation: from 2025 by 58 cents to 18.94 euros.
According to calculations by financial experts, the broadcasting fee will rise from 18.36 euros per month to 18.94 euros from 2025. This would be an increase of 58 cents. This was confirmed by the Commission for Determining the Financial Requirements of Broadcasting Corporations (KEF) when it handed over its report to the federal states.
The states decide on the amount of the contribution. You must closely follow the KEF recommendation. When exactly a decision will be made is unclear. There is a risk of conflict because the countries have to decide the amount unanimously, but there are different positions. Several prime ministers made it clear months ago that they would not support a plus. The case could even end up before the Federal Constitutional Court.
States commission public broadcasting
The broadcasting fee that households and companies pay essentially finances public broadcasting with ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. Total income in 2022 was around 8.57 billion euros. The federal states commission public broadcasting through a state treaty – so they determine what it should do for the population or what programs it should offer.
The houses must be financially equipped for this. The economic effort follows the order. The KEF regularly checks the financial plans of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio and ensures thrift. This sophisticated overall structure is also intended to secure the constitutionally protected freedom of broadcasting.
Some prime ministers had already made it clear during the KEF’s calculation phase that they would not support an increase in the broadcasting fee. They don’t see enough support among the population for this. They also argue that the ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio stations need to operate more efficiently. And they cite the crisis at the ARD broadcaster RBB with allegations of nepotism, which has cost trust.
However, there are other countries that, if in doubt, would probably support an increase. And voices emerged in the debate that warned against using the issue of broadcasting fees as an election campaign issue or using it to engage in populism.