Response to the halving initiative Rösti lowers Serafe fees - order to save millions for SRG

The SRG will have to save over CHF 150 million per year in future. The Federal Council is reducing the Serafe fees, as was announced on Wednesday.

The SRG is in for some big news on Wednesday. At its meeting on Wednesday, the Federal Council decided to reduce the Serafe fees from CHF 335 to CHF 300.

This reduction is to take place in two stages: first to CHF 312 in 2027 and then to CHF 300 in 2029. In addition, small companies with an annual turnover of up to CHF 1.2 million are to be exempted from the obligation to pay the fee from 2027.

These measures have direct consequences for SRG: It must expect revenues to be CHF 150 to 200 million lower.

Reduction in entertainment and sport

The reduction in Serafe fees is a reaction to the so-called halving initiative, which Switzerland is likely to vote on in 2026. This initiative calls for a more drastic reduction in radio and TV fees to CHF 200 per household.

Media Minister Albert Rösti, who had campaigned for the initiative before his time in government, now represents the position of the entire Federal Council, which rejects the initiative. The lower fee reduction is intended to take the wind out of the initiative's sails.

"This gradual reduction in the fee gives the SRG scope to plan and implement cost-saving measures," writes the Federal Council. According to earlier information, the SRG assumes that the reduction of the media levy to CHF 300 will lead to a reduction in revenue of around CHF 240 million and a reduction of around 900 SRG jobs in all regions.

According to SRG, the measure would also have an impact on sports coverage at major events. The number of Swiss series and films supported and the broadcasting of cultural events would have to be reduced.

Discussion now in parliament

The corresponding dispatch will now go to Parliament. Parliament can decide for itself whether and - if so - how it wants to ease the financial burden on households and companies. An indirect counter-proposal at legislative level is conceivable, for example. In this way, the Councils could also override the Federal Council's decision, especially as the gradual tax reduction it has decided on will only take effect from 2027.

A correction is realistic because the two responsible parliamentary committees unanimously spoke out against the Federal Council's approach during the consultation process. They argued that the Federal Council should first submit a revision of the SRG license or the performance mandate for consultation and only then determine the level of the radio and television fee.

The tenor was that an immediate reduction in the media levy would restrict parliament's room for maneuver with regard to discussing the SRG initiative or the halving initiative. Even the SVP members of the parliamentary telecommunications committees were critical of the Federal Council's approach. Before the financial resources are quantified, the scope and content of the public service must be discussed.

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3.47 p.m.

Media conference over

That concludes the conference. blue News will provide a detailed summary shortly. Thank you for reading.

3.42 pm

Not comparable with "No Billag"

The "No Billag" initiative and the halving initiative are not comparable, says Rösti. In one initiative, the SRG would have been completely abolished. With the current initiative, on the other hand, he would often hear people say that "this is enough." That is very dangerous, says Rösti.

3.37 pm

Will sports fans pay more in future?

Rösti is asked whether it is possible that sports fans will only be able to watch their matches on pay TV in future and will then have to pay more. "I can't completely rule that out," says Rösti. It also cannot be ruled out that individual population groups will pay more in future. "But in terms of sports fans, that's a personal decision for each individual."

3.32 pm

Heated debate expected in parliament

The ordinance will now go to parliament, where it will be discussed. Rösti expects a heated debate "with many motions, even a lot." In the end, parliament also has the option of writing into law that the Serafe contribution remains the same. However, Rösti does not want to speculate on whether there will be a majority for this.

3.29 p.m.

Criticism from the cantons

Around half of the cantons have expressed criticism. Rösti once again refers to the halving initiative. This is clearly more dangerous. This is because around more than half of all cantons have voted in favor of the initiative. The situation is similar among the parties.

3.25 p.m.

How many jobs will be lost?

Rösti is asked how many jobs would be lost. According to the SRG, it could be up to 900 jobs if the fee is reduced. Rösti does not give a specific figure, but says that there would be around 15 to 17 percent less budget available. This would have a drastic impact. "How many jobs are lost is a matter for the SRG management."

3.21 p.m.

"SRG should be forced to focus"

"SRG should be forced to increase efficiency and focus its offering," says Rösti. In the areas of entertainment and sport, for example, there are numerous other providers on the market and SRG is not necessarily needed here.

SRG is a large company. "It takes time to implement this. It's not easy to implement a savings program like this. That's why it's planned until 2029," said Rösti.

3.19 pm

SRG's offering is to be restricted

According to Rösti, SRG should focus on information and culture in the new concession from 2028. Entertainment and sport, on the other hand, should only be offered by SRG where other Swiss providers cannot take over. "We want SRG to focus on the public service in those areas where other providers cannot take over," said Rösti. According to the Federal Council, the online text offering should also be restricted. Work on the new concession will begin after the vote on the SRG initiative and will take around two years, according to Rösti.

3.15 p.m.

Rösti warns against 200-franc initiative

Acceptance of the SRG initiative, which calls for a halving of Serafe, would have "serious consequences", warns Rösti. The anchoring in the language regions would be jeopardized. That is why the Federal Council is now planning a "counter-project" to reduce the Serafe fee slightly.

3.10 p.m.

SRG must expect 155 million less

Compared to 2024, the SRG will receive around CHF 120 million less from fees in 2029, according to Rösti. In addition, the cost-of-living adjustment will no longer be paid in full from 2025. As a result, SRG can expect significantly less revenue - around 155 million less in total. On the other hand, regional radio and television stations will receive more: their share is to be increased from the current 4 percent to between 6 and 8 percent.

3.08 p.m.

Adjustment will be gradual

In 2027, the Serafe fee will be adjusted from CHF 335 to CHF 312, then to CHF 300 in 2029. In addition, around 80 percent of companies subject to VAT will be exempt from the fee from 2027 - the limit for paying the corporate fee will be increased from the current CHF 500,000 annual turnover to CHF 1.2 million.

According to Rösti, the federal government is sticking to its proposals despite some headwinds in the consultation process. The media minister explained that the reasons for the rejection varied widely and did not lead to a uniform solution.

3.03 p.m.

License extended until 2028

The Federal Council has extended the SRG license for the coming years until 2028. According to Rösti, it would not have been possible to extend it any longer due to the upcoming vote on the halving initiative: "We want to wait for the outcome of the vote before we look at the concession again."

3.01 pm

Rösti speaks

Federal Councillor Albert Rösti has appeared before the media. Now the media minister is providing information on the changes announced by the Federal Council on Wednesday. Media Minister Albert Rösti is sticking to the plans he outlined at the beginning of November 2023. By lowering the radio and television fee, he wants to respond to the popular initiative "200 francs is enough! (SRG initiative)" from SVP circles. The SVP wants to reduce the media fee to 200 francs and exempt companies from paying the fee altogether.

3.00 p.m.

Federal Council lowers Serafe fees

The Federal Council is reducing the radio and television fee from CHF 335 to CHF 300 for private households from 2029 and will abolish the fee for small and medium-sized enterprises from 2027. This was decided on Wednesday - despite widespread criticism during the consultation process.

Rösti will provide information at a media conference. blue News will broadcast this live and provide tickers.

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