A new procedure for regulating broadcasting fees has been agreed upon by federal states, set to take effect in 2027. The current fee of 18.36 euros will remain unchanged until then. Unlike the previous requirement for unanimous consent for fee increases, the new system allows for objections from a limited number of states. Broadcasters ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio are currently contesting proposed fee adjustments in court, creating uncertainty around future fees.
New Broadcasting Fee Procedure Set for 2027
In a significant decision, the federal states have come to an agreement on a revised procedure for regulating broadcasting fees. Notably, the fee is set to remain unchanged until 2027, pending a ruling from Karlsruhe.
Under the current system, any increase in the broadcasting fee requires the unanimous consent of all federal states. However, the new approach will shift the focus from needing agreement from all to simply allowing for objections from a limited number of states.
Revolutionizing the Fee Determination Process
The procedural changes were endorsed during the Prime Ministers’ Conference (MPK) held in Berlin, with Rhineland-Palatinate’s Prime Minister, Alexander Schweitzer, heralding it as a ‘breakthrough’. He expressed that the new method would create a more streamlined and accessible process for determining broadcasting fees.
Despite the changes, the initial stages of the fee determination procedure will remain untouched. ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio will continue to present their financial requirements to the independent commission, known as KEF, which will issue recommendations regarding potential fee adjustments.
Currently, the recommendation must receive approval from both the Prime Ministers and the parliaments of all 16 federal states—a requirement that the new model seeks to eliminate. The revised system allows states to object to proposed increases rather than requiring their active consent. The number of objections needed varies depending on the proposed increase, with thresholds set for different percentage ranges.
As it stands, the existing broadcasting fee is 18.36 euros, and the federal states are pushing back against a KEF recommendation for a 58-cent increase scheduled for February. They are urging broadcasters to utilize their reserves over the next two years instead of raising the fee. Brandenburg’s Prime Minister, Dietmar Woidke, emphasized the need for ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio to optimize their operations and savings.
With the new procedure slated to take effect in 2027, broadcasters are currently navigating the complexities of fee regulation. The situation remains fluid as ARD and ZDF have filed a complaint with the Federal Constitutional Court, challenging the proposed fee adjustments. The outcome of this legal challenge and its impact on the future broadcasting fee remains uncertain.