The Federal Council recalls, for example, the additional advertising time permitted. The SRG is expected to earn around CHF 6 million more as a result, as announced by the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications on Friday. The Federal Council expects a much larger amount of CHF 64 million from the increasing number of fee payers. In particular, businesses that currently only pay part of the fees are to be asked to pay consistently.
In addition, the Federal Council is focusing primarily on cost-cutting measures. SRG should be able to save CHF 58 million per year. The annual instead of quarterly collection of fees should also cost CHF 10 million less. However, the government wants to spare consumers this time. It is recalling the last fee increase of 2.5 percent in 2007.
The Federal Council recognizes the additional financial requirements of SRG, which has claimed an average of CHF 168 million over the next four years. The Federal Council has recognized CHF 134.5 million of this, but rejected CHF 14 million for the restructuring of the pension fund.
More advertising on TV
SRG acknowledges that the Federal Council has largely recognized its additional financial requirements for the years 2011 to 2014 and has decided to liberalize advertising. SRG may now broadcast more advertising. With its decision on Friday, the Federal Council is now allowing SRG to use 15 percent instead of 8 percent of its broadcasting time for advertising. In addition, the SRG may interrupt its broadcasts outside prime time between 11 p.m. and 6 p.m. every 30 minutes for advertising. Furthermore, advertising interruptions are only permitted every 90 minutes during prime time.
The Board of Directors is expected to decide on further cost-cutting measures in August following a detailed analysis, taking into account both the revenue risks and the pension fund restructuring.
Allowing online advertising was also considered by the Federal Council. However, it fears a new competitive situation with the print media. Liberalization is therefore conditional on reaching an agreement with publishers on the framework conditions.
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