SRG may broadcast more advertising from 2011
The Federal Council is authorizing more advertising breaks for SRG from 2011. The relaxation of the advertising rules and the switch to one Billag invoice per year should help the radio and TV provider to compensate for the refused fee increase.
As before, news and programs about current political events may only be interrupted by advertising if they last longer than 90 minutes. In all other programs outside of prime time, advertising is now permitted every 30 minutes. This was decided by the Federal Council on Wednesday, according to SDA.
During prime time from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., an advertising break is permitted every 90 minutes as before. The Federal Council increased the SRG's maximum advertising time from 8% to 15%. The Federal Council found that the regulation takes account of the public service. The SRG television program should be less commercially oriented than the offerings of private broadcasters, especially during prime time. The advertising regulations have already been relaxed for private broadcasters.
Billag invoice only once a year
In addition, the Federal Council decided that the Billag fee collection agency will no longer send out its bills quarterly but only once a year from 2011. This will result in savings of CHF 9 to 10 million due to reduced printing, dispatch and payment costs. Anyone who still wants a quarterly bill will have to pay two francs each time.
The extension of SRG's advertising time and Billag's annual fee bill were among the reasons why the Federal Council rejected a fee increase in June, as the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (Uvek) writes according to SDA. On Wednesday, the Federal Council also permitted the digital transmission of all analogue FM stations beyond the licensed coverage area. Previously, this was not possible for local broadcasters. The opening was necessary for the development of digital transmission technologies, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland.
Residents of nursing homes will not receive Billag bills for radio and television. The Federal Council has adapted the Radio and Television Ordinance to the revised Nursing Ordinance.
During prime time from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., an advertising break is permitted every 90 minutes as before. The Federal Council increased the SRG's maximum advertising time from 8% to 15%. The Federal Council found that the regulation takes account of the public service. The SRG television program should be less commercially oriented than the offerings of private broadcasters, especially during prime time. The advertising regulations have already been relaxed for private broadcasters.
Billag invoice only once a year
In addition, the Federal Council decided that the Billag fee collection agency will no longer send out its bills quarterly but only once a year from 2011. This will result in savings of CHF 9 to 10 million due to reduced printing, dispatch and payment costs. Anyone who still wants a quarterly bill will have to pay two francs each time.
The extension of SRG's advertising time and Billag's annual fee bill were among the reasons why the Federal Council rejected a fee increase in June, as the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (Uvek) writes according to SDA. On Wednesday, the Federal Council also permitted the digital transmission of all analogue FM stations beyond the licensed coverage area. Previously, this was not possible for local broadcasters. The opening was necessary for the development of digital transmission technologies, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland.
Residents of nursing homes will not receive Billag bills for radio and television. The Federal Council has adapted the Radio and Television Ordinance to the revised Nursing Ordinance.
