Babiš floats voluntary TV and radio fees, rules out changes from January

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has proposed making television and radio license fees voluntary while guaranteeing funding for Czechia’s public broadcasters through a mechanism outside the state budget.

Speaking on TV Nova on Saturday, Babiš said the Finance Ministry was preparing a revised proposal for Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo). He also confirmed that the legislation would not take effect in January 2027 as parliamentary consideration would continue into the new year.

The announcement introduces a potential change to the government’s existing bill, which would abolish compulsory fees and replace them with direct state-budget funding. That proposal has triggered demonstrations and planned strikes over concerns about the broadcasters’ independence.

“We will propose voluntary fees. Whoever wants to pay can pay; whoever doesn’t won’t,” Babiš said. “We will, of course, guarantee a certain amount.”

He added that he wanted to propose an arrangement in which the money would not come directly from the state budget. He did not explain how that mechanism would work or specify the guaranteed amount.

The coalition council is expected to discuss the proposal Monday, Nov. 2.

Babiš said the eventual funding model would meet European requirements for independence and predictability. The government has previously argued that legally guaranteed funding would give broadcasters greater stability; opponents say replacing fees with state funding would increase political influence.

The prime minister also acknowledged that the timetable had slipped. A 60-day parliamentary consideration period runs into Christmas, meaning the second reading would take place in January.

It remains unclear when the legislation could take effect. The proposed changes have not become law.

Babiš pledged that the coalition would not restrict discussion during the second reading.

“We won’t limit the second reading at all. Let everyone say whatever they want,” he said.

The promise follows criticism of the bill’s first reading, which the ANO, SPD and Motorists coalition unexpectedly added to the parliamentary agenda Oct. 23. Government lawmakers advanced it early the following morning after a contentious overnight debate.

Babiš said the decision to bring the bill forward resulted from a coalition agreement. He defended his absence from the vote, saying his participation was unnecessary and that he was responding to messages and calls from citizens.

The prime minister said some messages were aggressive and that he had changed two telephone numbers.

Public opposition has included demonstrations outside parliament and a mass gathering in Prague’s Old Town Square. Milion chvilek pro demokracii plans another protest Nov. 15 at Letná, while public broadcaster employees and student groups have announced strikes for Nov. 3.

Babiš accused the opposition of seeking to exploit the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, but acknowledged that the response from civil society had surprised him.