VSP welcomes the decision of the Council of States

The deliberations and decisions in the Council of States on the partial revision of the RTVA have shown that the achievements of private media are recognized and appreciated, the VSP said in a press release on Monday. For example, the Council of States wants to create an opportunity to grant existing broadcasters a license extension and to take into account the previous fulfilment of the performance mandate. The Council of States is also clearly in favor of private broadcasters when it comes to fee splitting: Instead of the current 4 percent share, a range of four to six percent of the new fee should now be available to eligible private broadcasters. The VSP assumes that with this larger share, both radio broadcasters in mountain and peripheral regions and bilingual broadcasters will receive improved financial support in the sense of a market balance. The Council of States also wants to promote training and new technology. For example, it has adopted an article of law that makes fee money that has so far not been distributed enough available to the entitled broadcasters. This could be used to support basic training and the promotion of the new DAB+ technology in the radio sector.

With these decisions, various concerns of private radio stations have been taken on board, which will serve to strengthen the private radio landscape, the press release continues. It is also noted with satisfaction that the Council of States wishes to have an objective discussion about the future role of the SRG public service; it has accepted a corresponding postulate from the responsible Council of States committee.