Revamping the Fee Structure: Austria’s National Broadcaster ORF Makes a Move

Revamping the Fee Structure: Austria’s National Broadcaster ORF Makes a Move

A Shift in the ORF Billing System

In a significant reform, Austria’s national broadcaster, ORF (Österreichischer Rundfunk), is changing its fee structure. The new law, set to take effect in January 2024, introduces major modifications to how ORF fees are collected. The GIS Gebühren Info Service GmbH previously set the broadcast fees based on radio and television ownership. However, the law mandates that the ORF Beitrag Service GmbH will start collecting the ORF fee and the provincial levy according to the main residence address. This results in a paradigm shift in the billing system as everyone will contribute to the ORF fee, irrespective of their ownership of traditional broadcasting devices. The fee has been standardized at €15.30 per month from January 2024.

Closure of the “Streaming Loophole”

The new law also addresses the closure of the “streaming loophole”. Before this law, individuals who did not own a traditional broadcasting device but used streaming services to consume ORF content were not required to pay the fee. This loophole has now been closed, ensuring that everyone contributes to the ORF fee regardless of the mode of consumption. The shift from a device-based model to a residence-based model aims to make the fee collection process more equitable for all residents.

Implications of the New Law

The introduction of the new law and the closure of the “streaming loophole” bring about considerable changes to the ORF’s billing system. The transition from a device-based model to a residence-based model ensures that everyone contributes to the ORF fee, thereby creating a fair system of fee collection. The standardization of the monthly fee at €15.30 provides clarity about the amount each resident is expected to contribute.

Response and Impact

The changes in the fee structure are expected to have a significant impact on the residents of Austria. As everyone is now required to contribute to the ORF fee, an estimated 525,000 more households will be paying the fee. It is also projected that around 100,000 companies that have not paid GIS will now have to pay ORF fees. However, exemptions have been provided for individuals who need physical or financial assistance. The new law, therefore, is a step towards making the funding of the public broadcaster more equitable.

The Way Forward

The restructuring of the ORF fee system is a noteworthy move towards creating a more equitable system of funding the public broadcaster. The new law and the closure of the “streaming loophole” ensure that everyone contributes to the ORF fee, irrespective of their mode of content consumption. As the law takes effect in January 2024, it is anticipated that the changes will have significant implications for the residents and businesses of Austria. The impact of these changes will become clearer as the law is implemented and the new fee structure comes into effect.