RTVG: Council of States clears up last differences

The new law brings a change to the system of radio and TV fees: all households must pay reception fees - regardless of whether they own radio or TV sets. Companies with an annual turnover of CHF 500,000 or more will also have to pay. As a result, it will no longer be possible to watch and listen on the black market in future and Billag checks will no longer be necessary. As the number of fee payers will be spread across more households and companies, the fee could be reduced from the current CHF 462 per household
and year to around CHF 400, the Federal Council had calculated. The system change is justified by the fact that radio and TV broadcasts can now also be listened to and watched on computers, tablets or smartphones.

Temporary exceptions

However, there will be exceptions for five years after the system change: Upon request, households can be exempted from the fee if they do not have a suitable device for receiving radio or television programs. This temporary exemption was proposed by the National Council. The Council of States had initially clearly rejected it. On Tuesday, however, it gave up its opposition and tacitly swung into line with the National Council. René Imoberdorf (CSP/VS), President of the preliminary consultation committee, stated on Tuesday that this would result in a loss of around CHF 16 million, which is a relatively modest amount. In addition, the burden of proof would be reversed. As before, indefinite exemptions apply to people who receive state supplementary benefits as well as those in need of care in nursing homes.

More money for private individuals

The majority of the approximately CHF 1.3 billion in annual reception fees goes to the SRG. However, private radio and television stations are to receive more in future: Instead of 4 percent as before, it will be 4 to 6 percent in future. The Federal Council had proposed 3 to 5 percent, but Parliament increased the share by one percentage point. The Federal Council had argued in favor of setting a bandwidth instead of a fixed figure so that surpluses can be used at a later date. This has not been the case to date. As a result, surpluses have accumulated in recent years - around CHF 45 million according to Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard. The Federal Council wanted to refund these to the fee payers. However, Parliament decided that the money should be used for education and training (25%) and to promote new broadcasting technologies (75%).

The requirement for local and regional licenses, according to which these may only be granted if the diversity of opinion and offerings is not jeopardized, has also been lifted. In future, in the event of several applications of equal value, the license will be awarded to the broadcaster that most enriches media diversity.

Referendum threatened

The bill had triggered hours of debate in parliament. The quality of individual SRF programs such as "Glanz & Gloria" was also discussed. In the National Council, a minority led by Natalie Rickli (SVP/ZH) voiced fundamental criticism. The Council of States and National Council each debated the bill twice until they reached an agreement. Whether the new Radio and Television Act (RTVA) will come into force in this form, however, is still up in the air. The "Stop Billag" campaign is considering a referendum; the trade association has also threatened one in the past. The latter opposes the idea that companies should also have to pay a device-independent fee. At present, only those who have a receiver are asked to pay. The GLP has already announced that it will reject the deal in the final vote for this reason, among others. (SDA)

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