Swiss government announces TV tax cut ahead of vote to eliminate it

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Le News
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On Wednesday, the Federal Council said it will cut Switzerland’s TV-Radio tax from CHF 451 to CHF 365 annually from 2019.

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According to Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, the cut is made possible by cost savings from simplifying the system and an increase in the numbers who will pay it – everyone will soon pay, not just those with a receiving device.

At CHF 365, it will still be high compared to what Brits pay for the BBC. There, households are charged £147 (CHF 190) annually.

Many are unhappy with the Swiss fee, and a popular vote, aimed at scrapping it, is scheduled for spring next year. The No Billag initiative aims to eliminate the fee and the broadcaster in its current form.

The question in some minds will be whether the new price will persuade enough to vote against the referendum to eliminate the payment altogether.

More on this:
20 Minutes article (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now

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About Le News

The newspaper Le News is a free, quality, local English language newspaper launched on 31 October 2013. Le News fills a gap in local Swiss media for the numerous English-speakers living and visiting Switzerland. In late January 2015 we decided to put our print medium on hold and focus on our digital media presence.

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