Status: 08/18/2021 11:25 a.m.
At the beginning of August, the Federal Constitutional Court ordered the broadcasting fee to be increased by 86 cents, and the fee will now be adjusted this month. The state of Saxony-Anhalt blocked an increase on January 1st.
After the increase in the broadcasting fee ordered by the Federal Constitutional Court, the collection of the higher amount of EUR 18.36 per month will start in August. The contribution service of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio announced that he will start at the end of August and inform contributors about the adjustment of the contribution amount, depending on the chosen payment method. The higher license fee applies from August. Anyone who has arranged the transfer of the broadcasting fee by direct debit will automatically adjust the higher amount.
From 17.50 euros to 18.36
In a ruling published at the beginning of August, the Constitutional Court ordered the increase from 17.50 euros to 18.36 euros retrospectively from July 20 until a new state treaty came into force.
In December, the state of Saxony-Anhalt blocked the state treaty with an increase of 86 cents as of January 1st, all other states were in favor of an increase. However, unanimity would have been necessary for the treaty to come into force.
Constitutional complaints successful
The Karlsruhe judges assessed Saxony-Anhalt’s move as a violation of the freedom of broadcasting enshrined in the Basic Law. The transmitters ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio had filed constitutional complaints in Karlsruhe. The broadcasting fee is the main source of income for public broadcasting.
Saxony-Anhalt’s Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff also spoke of unanswered questions after the decision by the Federal Constitutional Court. The voting process remains a dilemma, said the CDU politician.
The Greens in Saxony-Anhalt, on the other hand, criticized the CDU there acting against the constitution. Green parliamentary group leader Cornelia Lüddemann accused the party of Haseloff of having fooled people with their blockade against the increase in the radio license, which they have now collected again from Karlsruhe.