German States Freeze Rundfunkbeitrag at €18.36 for Two Years
Despite calls for an increase, the contribution will remain unchanged while ARD and ZDF challenge the decision in court.
- The Rundfunkbeitrag, which funds Germany's public broadcasters, will stay at €18.36 per month through 2025 and 2026, following a decision by state leaders.
- The Bundesverfassungsgericht will rule on a constitutional complaint filed by ARD and ZDF, who seek an increase to €18.94 as recommended by the KEF commission.
- State leaders agreed to a new model where minor increases under 5% could bypass unanimous parliamentary approval, simplifying future adjustments.
- Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt conditioned their support on ARD and ZDF withdrawing the court complaint, citing their dissatisfaction with the broadcasters' legal actions.
- Public broadcasters are expected to use existing reserves, estimated at over €1 billion, to manage without an increase during the freeze period.
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