The increased broadcasting fee ensures a warm shower of money for the public broadcasters. According to new figures, the MDR alone can look forward to an increase of 35 million euros. The income from the “GEZ fee” has never been higher.

MDR: Broadcasting fee ensures record income

The income from the broadcasting fee is bubbling up, as evidenced by information from Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR). For the year 2021, the public broadcaster can use a Plus of 35 million euros happy, which corresponds to a relative increase of 4.5 percent. However, the sum is likely to increase, because all contribution payments have not yet been included (source: press portal).

According to experts, the development of Income situation at the MDR can be transferred to other broadcasters. ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio can therefore expect increased income. Exact figures for the “GEZ fee” for 2021 will in all probability not be published until mid-June 2022 with the annual report of the contribution collection office. As early as 2020, the broadcasters were able to point to revenues of 8.1 billion euros.

The broadcasting fee is retroactive to July 20, 2021 18.36 euros per household and month gone up. Previously it was 17.50 euros per month for several years. The dispute over the increase went all the way to the Federal Constitutional Court after Saxony-Anhalt had blocked the project.

This is what the GIGA editorial team thinks about the broadcast contribution:

No increase in broadcasting fees planned

At least until the year 2024 the financing of the public broadcasters is secured via the current sum, as the commission for determining the financial needs of the broadcasters (KEF) explained in February. However, arrears create a huge hole, which is why revenue shortfalls of almost one billion euros are expected.