The sparrows have been whistling it from the rooftops for a long time, now it seems to be resolved. According to a media report, Media Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) and ORF Director General Roland Weißmann have agreed on the future funding of the ORF. The GIS should be obsolete and soon every household will have to pay for the ORF – even if you don’t have a receiver.
As the “Kurier” reports, there should be an agreement on the so-called household contribution. However, there is no official confirmation from the negotiators yet. The costs will also change in the future: instead of the previous 18.59 euros (20.45 euros including sales tax), only 16.50 euros will be due in the future. The country share that has already been collected must, however, continue to exist.
However, low-income households should continue to be exempt from the levy. At the moment, second homes are still subject to GIS, but it is possible to limit the reimbursement to shorter periods of use of at least four months per year.
Hard austerity course planned
A real rain of money is not expected for the ORF. There must be a hard saving target of around 300 million euros in 2026. In recent weeks, there have been rumors of austerity packages in the order of 250 million euros for the next five years. The ORF is said to have calculated cutbacks for external productions, but also put the radio symphony orchestra RSO and special interest stations to the test.
The amendment requires a ruling from the Constitutional Court: This requires the power gap to be closed as it conflicts with equality. At the same time, the Supreme Court formulated a ‘financing guarantee’.
The EU has yet to impose sanctions
Since the new model will probably also be classified as state aid by the EU Commission, it will probably have to be approved in Brussels, the “Kurier” continues.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
