After much bickering, the broadcasting fee was increased in 2021. Since then, every household has had to pay 18.36 euros a month for ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. A look at the past year shows that even the small increase of 86 cents turned into a large sum in the end.
Public service broadcasting in Germany is polarizing. Some see it as an indispensable pillar of democracy and opinion-forming, while others see it as a bloated broadcaster that is increasingly distancing itself from the public with boring programming and questionable reporting. However you feel about ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio: you have to pay for them. The broadcasting fee per month rose to EUR 18.36 last year. And this plus is now also reflected in a decent increase in income.
Higher broadcasting contribution: ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio with record income
They went 3.8 percent up on the previous year, according to the post service. Bottom line, that does it 8.42 billion euroswhich public service broadcasting in Germany received in 2021 whopping plus of 300 million euros (Source: FAZ).
With 8.26 billion euros, a large part went to ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. A further 159 million euros went to the state media authorities, which oversee private broadcasting. Germany affords by far the most expensive public service broadcaster in the world.
There are many opinions on the broadcast contribution:
Will the former GEZ fee be increased again?
In the course of the record inflation, the broadcasting fee is again coming into focus. The CSU is demanding a three-month pause in the broadcasting fee, which was formerly called the GEZ fee, in order to relieve the burden on citizens. On the other hand, the responsible commission for determining the financial requirements (KEF), which even brings an increase into play due to inflation. Recently, the license fee can also be paid in cash under special circumstances.