462 francs: fees remain unchanged
The fees for radio and television reception will remain unchanged in the coming years. This was decided by the Federal Council on Friday. Private households will thus continue to have to pay CHF 462 per year.
As a rule, the Federal Council reviews every four years whether the level of radio and television reception fees is still appropriate. The last fee increase took place in 2007, and the Federal Council does not currently consider another one necessary. The fees are to remain at the current level until the new levy system is in place - probably until 2018. For the years 2015 to 2018, the Federal Council expects an average of eleven million francs more in fee revenue per year, according to the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (Uvek). The reason is the increasing number of paying households. In addition, there are fee surpluses from previous years. This should also be able to finance additional tasks resulting from the decided revision of the law until the introduction of the new fee system, according to the statement. Parliament had finalized the revision of the Radio and Television Act in the fall session.
Lower fees from 2019
This stipulates that all households must pay fees - regardless of whether they have a radio or television set. Companies with annual sales of CHF 500,000 or more will also be asked to pay. In this way, the Federal Council and Parliament want to take account of the fact that radio and TV programs can now also be consumed via computers or smartphones. The new levy system would lead to a noticeable reduction in radio and television fees for private households, the Uvek states. However, a referendum has been filed against the law. The trade association and the Stopbillag association have until January 15 to collect 50,000 signatures. The reception fees are used to finance the fulfillment of SRG's performance mandate. The private broadcasters also receive a share of the fees. (SDA)
