1. The new universal radio and TV fee in Switzerland
10 October 2014, “Eurovisioni 2014”, Rome

2. Main features of the new universal fee
New law adopted by parliament on 26 September:
Introduction of a new universal radio and TV fee, replacing the current reception fee
Obligation to pay is not dependent on access to radio and TV reception devices
Fee paid by all households and businesses (with some exemptions)
Flat rate for households, sliding scale for businesses
Purpose: financing of public service radio and TV

3. Overview of the new radio and TV fee
Invoice
Households
Fee
Public service programmes
Resident registers
Personal data
Household data
Fee collection agency
Businesses
Tax admini-stration FTA
Invoice
Fee
Declaration of annual turnover (VAT)

4. Exemptions from the universal fee
Exemptions: households
retired or disabled persons on low incomes
diplomatic staff
transitional provision (for 5 years): exemption on request for households without TV nor radio reception devices (“Opting out”)
Exemptions: businesses
annual turnover below CHF 500,000 (≈ € 400,000)

5. Advantages of the new universal fee
no problems in defining radio or TV reception devices
no obligation to notify for households or businesses
controls must not be performed at households and businesses
no illicit radio and TV consumption (“fee dodgers”)
Universal fee will be lower than current system

6. Rejected alternatives
Financing via federal tax revenue
Independence of the public service broadcasters threatened
Costs (cantons keep 17% of the proceeds)
Financing by increasing the VAT rate
Constitutional amendment required
Proceeds are dependent on the economic situation
Financing on a “pay per view” basis
Costly to integrate billing on all reception devices
Data protection issues
Incentive to avoid public service programmes

7. Introduction of the new fee
Introduction planned for 2018
after enactment of the implementing regulations
after appointment of a new fee collection agency by invitation to tender
However, delay due to referendum is possible
Referendum initiative launched (requires 50,000 signatures within 100 days)
If the initiative is successful, referendum will be held in or 2016