SRF: TV fee soon also for computer owners?
The SRF channels have recently also gone live on its website. Computer users with an Internet connection should therefore have to pay the full Billag fees. The federal government is examining a stricter rule in this regard.
Since mid-December, the SRF channels can also be viewed on their Internet portal. The standardized website was launched as part of media convergence (Werbewoche.ch reported). While SRF previously only offered recordings, now only a computer with Internet access is required to watch the channels live. As every user who has a device for live reception of programs has to pay, the federal government is now examining a stricter rule regarding Billag fees. This is according to the NZZ am Sonntag. According to the Federal Office of Communications, a computer with Internet access is sufficient for radio fees. For television fees, however, an account with an Internet television provider such as Zattoo or Wilmaa was previously also required.
However, since SRF channels have been accessible without registration since December 16, every computer user with Internet access would now also have to pay television fees. "SRF's internet live stream has changed the conditions for the obligation to pay fees. We are therefore reviewing the requirements," says Bakom spokeswoman Caroline Sauser according to NZZ am Sonntag. The company Billag, which collects the fees on behalf of the federal government, is now also taking action, according to NZZ am Sonntag. Billag spokesperson Johnny Kopp says: "In our view, the current criteria for television reception via computer and Internet have become obsolete due to technical developments. The situation will be discussed with the Federal Office of Communications "and a joint solution will be worked out". If the new rule comes into force, computer owners will pay CHF 169.15 per year for radio reception and CHF 293.25 per year for television reception.
However, a change to the Billag fee system is already being planned in parliament, according to which all households would have to pay a fee in future. It is therefore still unclear whether the Federal Office of Communications really wants to change the guidelines, as the NZZ writes. Meanwhile, SRG, the largest recipient of the annual fee, emphasizes that the introduction of Internet television was not guided by the political debate, but merely by the needs of viewers. Other television providers have already been broadcasting their programs live via the Internet for some time.
