Radio DRS in favor of fee increase
Schweizer Radio DRS wants to finance the expansion of its journalistic offering from its own reserves. Additional income from the planned increase in SRG SSR idée suisse fees will flow primarily into DAB technology.
Schweizer Radio DRS wants to finance the expansion of its journalistic offering from its own reserves. Additional income from the planned fee increase for SRG SSR idée suisse is to flow primarily into DAB technology. If the Federal Council approves the proposed fee increase of 6.5 percent, radio will receive CHF 13 million more money. Of this, CHF 3 million will be needed as compensation for the new Radio and Television Act (RTVA), as Radio Director Walter Rüegg told the media in Zurich on Thursday. The remaining ten million francs will be needed for the new DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) technology and the development of World Radio Switzerland (WRS), among other things. The digital WRS will offer an English-language program for the whole of Switzerland and will be affiliated to Radio Suisse Romande.
However, Radio DRS is financing the planned expansion of the radio program itself. CHF 2.8 million has been budgeted for 2007 and CHF 4 million each for 2008 and 2009. DRS has had the same fee in real terms since 1995, continued Rüegg. It has been possible to increase services by improving production without increasing fees. The SRG management stands united behind the planned fee increase.
The fees for radio and television are charged separately. If the fee increases do not take place to the desired extent, the SRG Group would have to solve the problems together, according to Rüegg, and go over the books for the joint charges.
DRS in expansion mood As part of the expansion, plans for next year include more reporting on knowledge and education on DRS 2. Sport is to be repositioned: DRS 3 will become the leading program in terms of live sport. From 2008, the information programs on Saturday mornings and afternoons as well as the network of foreign correspondents will be expanded. The new "DRS 3 Wirtschaft" section has already been implemented. From next Monday, DRS 3 will provide information on companies, financial markets and economically relevant developments three times a day.
However, Radio DRS is financing the planned expansion of the radio program itself. CHF 2.8 million has been budgeted for 2007 and CHF 4 million each for 2008 and 2009. DRS has had the same fee in real terms since 1995, continued Rüegg. It has been possible to increase services by improving production without increasing fees. The SRG management stands united behind the planned fee increase.
The fees for radio and television are charged separately. If the fee increases do not take place to the desired extent, the SRG Group would have to solve the problems together, according to Rüegg, and go over the books for the joint charges.
DRS in expansion mood As part of the expansion, plans for next year include more reporting on knowledge and education on DRS 2. Sport is to be repositioned: DRS 3 will become the leading program in terms of live sport. From 2008, the information programs on Saturday mornings and afternoons as well as the network of foreign correspondents will be expanded. The new "DRS 3 Wirtschaft" section has already been implemented. From next Monday, DRS 3 will provide information on companies, financial markets and economically relevant developments three times a day.
