The fight for the bear's skin
Pierre C. Meier on the scramble for federal funding for private TV and radio stations.
Pierre C. Meier on the wrangling over federal funding for private TV and radio The Council of States was more generous than the National Council. Instead of the maximum four percent of the fee money that the National Council envisaged for private radio and TV broadcasters, the Council of States wants to give regional private TV stations at least two and a maximum of five percent of the fees. Local radio stations in the outlying regions are to receive between three and five percent. Accordingly, there is joy up and down the country.
However, it comes a little early, as the councils still have to agree on what percentage it will actually be in 2007 at the earliest. But it is understandable, because in good Swiss fashion, a compromise will be reached that everyone can live with. This includes the SRG, as the expected reduction in revenue is a small matter with a budget of more than one billion. In percentage terms, every privately organized media company has had to cope with higher revenue losses in recent years.
But who will collect the millions in fees one day is still completely open. In the case of radio, it is comparatively clear. It can be assumed that most local radio stations in the mountain and peripheral regions can count on additional money from Bern. It will be exciting for local TV, as every station today claims to offer a "public service" in the local area.
However, it is Bakom's declared aim to divide Switzerland into ten to twelve coverage areas, in each of which only one TV station is to receive money from the fee pot. There are various criteria for selection: The money could only be given to those in
are at home in a broadcasting area that is too small. But you could punish the successful ones by only giving money to those who don't make a profit.
The Federal Council will decide on this and there will still be a lot to talk about. No matter what the criteria are. As always with subsidies. Whether in agriculture, as has always been the case, or more recently in the media.
> Pierre C. Meier, Editor-in-Chief
However, it comes a little early, as the councils still have to agree on what percentage it will actually be in 2007 at the earliest. But it is understandable, because in good Swiss fashion, a compromise will be reached that everyone can live with. This includes the SRG, as the expected reduction in revenue is a small matter with a budget of more than one billion. In percentage terms, every privately organized media company has had to cope with higher revenue losses in recent years.
But who will collect the millions in fees one day is still completely open. In the case of radio, it is comparatively clear. It can be assumed that most local radio stations in the mountain and peripheral regions can count on additional money from Bern. It will be exciting for local TV, as every station today claims to offer a "public service" in the local area.
However, it is Bakom's declared aim to divide Switzerland into ten to twelve coverage areas, in each of which only one TV station is to receive money from the fee pot. There are various criteria for selection: The money could only be given to those in
are at home in a broadcasting area that is too small. But you could punish the successful ones by only giving money to those who don't make a profit.
The Federal Council will decide on this and there will still be a lot to talk about. No matter what the criteria are. As always with subsidies. Whether in agriculture, as has always been the case, or more recently in the media.
> Pierre C. Meier, Editor-in-Chief
