After months of heated debate, the state premiers are about to make a decision on the level of the broadcasting fee. The heads of the federal states are also expected to vote on a major reform of public broadcasting on Friday. The outcome is completely unclear, especially with regard to the broadcasting fee. The positions here are far apart. This was already evident at the beginning of the meeting.
Saxony-Anhalt and Bavaria do not want an increase - they emphasize that reforms must first take effect. Other states are in favor of an increase, also in view of the long-term effects of reforms and inflation. Currently, the monthly broadcasting fee for ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio is 18.36 euros.
The new contribution period begins on January 1, 2025, when the broadcasting fee paid by households and companies would have to rise by 58 cents from 18.36 euros per month to 18.94 euros, according to an expert recommendation. This is based on a procedure enshrined in constitutional law. However, an agreement between the federal states on a specific increase at the turn of the year is virtually impossible. If the federal states fail to reach an agreement, the case could end up before the Federal Constitutional Court. This was already the case in 2021.
Sports rights, fewer broadcasters
The reform that media politicians in the federal states have drawn up is intended to create structures so that media companies are organized more efficiently and save costs. Plans include, for example, the elimination of smaller TV stations, a reduction in the number of radio programs broadcast by ARD stations and a cap on spending on sports rights.
At the beginning of the meeting in Leipzig on Thursday, Lower Saxony's Minister President Stephan Weil (SPD) said with a view to reaching an agreement: "How we can find a clever common position is a real mental exercise." Some representatives of states with small broadcasters such as Saarländischer Rundfunk pointed out the need for funding.
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