The broadcasting fee was increased last year. Experts are now rejecting discussions about an increasing contribution. In the foreseeable future, the former “GEZ fee” should not increase. The current funding is sufficient, they say.
Broadcasting fee: No scope for increase
Since the broadcasting fee was last increased, German households have been paying EUR 18.36 each month instead of EUR 17.50 for ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. This will not change in the foreseeable future, as the independent commission for determining the financial needs of broadcasters (KEF) has announced. At least until 2024 they die Financing secured for the current amount. The effects of the corona pandemic are also no reason to increase the broadcasting fee.
For the years 2021 to 2024, the KEF sees one Financial requirements of 38.8 billion euros. The main part is accounted for by ARD with 27.7 billion euros, followed by ZDF with around 10 billion euros and Deutschlandradio with around 1 billion euros. This corresponds to an increase of 6.7 percent compared to the previous contribution period (source: KEF).
The results of the financial experts now presented are one Interim report for the federal states, which is created every two years. At intervals of several years, the KEF recommends that the federal states adjust the amount of the contribution. The basis is the registrations of the respective media companies, for which the broadcasting fee is the main source of income. Since this is only a recommendation, it is the federal states that set the amount of the contribution in a state treaty.
This is what the GIGA editorial team thinks of the broadcast fee:
Broadcasters should fill the gap in the contribution themselves
Since the broadcasting fee was not increased as planned on January 1, 2021, the broadcasters have to go along with it around 224 million euros less get by than expected. According to the KEF, the broadcasters should fill this gap themselves with reallocations and their own funds. However, arrears are already causing a drop in income of almost one billion euros.