Czech television fees could soon extend to mobile phones and tablets

The government is currently discussing legislation that would require people in Czechia to pay for television and radio services if using them on their mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. At present, Czech households must pay what is essentially a license fee for their televisions and radios.

Now, in order to raise more money, the state wants to charge people for watching Czech public television on their mobile devices, Novinky.cz reports. State broadcasters Czech Television and Czech Radio support the increase in the fees to ensure better funding and to keep up with inflation.

At present, the television license fee costs CZK 135 per month. The radio fee costs CZK 45 monthly, and Czech Radio wants this to rise by CZK 15. The last time the annual payment for Czech Television went up was in 2008. Prices for radio have remained the same since 2005.

If the parliament and President Petr Pavel approve the changes, they will come into force in January 2024. The opposition ANO and Freedom and Direct Democracy parties are against them, saying that the public will inevitably be opposed to giving any more money to the state after the new austerity package announced last week.

The government notes that it will not exempt pensioners from paying the fee, drawing on Poland as a case study in which the country lost huge amounts of funding after doing so. Around 3.5 million households in Czechia currently pay the annual television license fee.