Overview

• The Leipzig court said the fee would be unconstitutional only if the entire output of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio shows gross, regular shortfalls in diversity and balance for at least two years.
• Administrative courts may not void the levy but can refer the matter to the Federal Constitutional Court if they are convinced such a systemic breach exists.
• The case was remitted to the Bavarian Higher Administrative Court to assess whether the plaintiff’s materials indicate program‑wide deficits under the new guidelines.
• Judges expressed doubt that the current evidence meets the bar and stressed the need for methodologically robust, usually scientific, content analyses across TV, radio and online services.
• The ruling affirms that alleged flaws in individual broadcasts do not justify withholding payment, and the contribution remains enforceable.