Federal Council: No relaxation of advertising regulations for SRG for the time being
On Friday, the Federal Council discussed the possibility of relaxing the advertising regulations for the SRG. However, it will not make a decision on the matter until later.
The plan was to relax the regulations for all broadcasters. Last summer, OFCOM submitted a revision of the Radio and TV Ordinance for consultation, which also provided for a relaxation for SRG. According to the proposal, SRG would have been allowed to increase advertising time from 8% to 15%. Bakom also wanted to allow advertising on the SRG's online offering. The proposal also provided for more interruption advertising.
However, the Federal Council has now excluded the SRG from the revision of the ordinance for the time being. As reported by OFCOM, it only intends to make a definitive decision on relaxing the provisions for the SRG as part of the review of reception fees.
However, the Federal Council has relaxed the framework conditions for the other licensed Swiss radio and television broadcasters. From April 1, they will be allowed to interrupt films and news broadcasts every 30 minutes. According to OFCOM, the provisions have been adapted to the liberal international regulations in order to eliminate a disadvantage for Swiss broadcasters compared to foreign advertising windows. The changes correspond to the proposals made by OFCOM.
As before, commercials may not exceed 12 minutes per hour, and advertising may not take up more than 15 percent of daily broadcasting time. Religious programs and children's programs will still not be interrupted by advertising.
Non-profit licensed radio broadcasters, such as Radio Rabe and Lora, will in future be able to receive fee shares of up to 70 percent of their operating costs. The upper limit is currently 50 percent. Licensed broadcasters pay a levy on their advertising and sponsorship income, which is used to promote technology, among other things. Part of the reception fees is also reserved for this purpose.
However, the Federal Council has now excluded the SRG from the revision of the ordinance for the time being. As reported by OFCOM, it only intends to make a definitive decision on relaxing the provisions for the SRG as part of the review of reception fees.
However, the Federal Council has relaxed the framework conditions for the other licensed Swiss radio and television broadcasters. From April 1, they will be allowed to interrupt films and news broadcasts every 30 minutes. According to OFCOM, the provisions have been adapted to the liberal international regulations in order to eliminate a disadvantage for Swiss broadcasters compared to foreign advertising windows. The changes correspond to the proposals made by OFCOM.
As before, commercials may not exceed 12 minutes per hour, and advertising may not take up more than 15 percent of daily broadcasting time. Religious programs and children's programs will still not be interrupted by advertising.
Non-profit licensed radio broadcasters, such as Radio Rabe and Lora, will in future be able to receive fee shares of up to 70 percent of their operating costs. The upper limit is currently 50 percent. Licensed broadcasters pay a levy on their advertising and sponsorship income, which is used to promote technology, among other things. Part of the reception fees is also reserved for this purpose.
