Czech Lawmakers End 205-Crown TV Fee, Cutting Public Media Budget 15 Percent

Czech public broadcasters have long relied on a household fee for their operations. That funding model ends after a governing coalition voted to overhaul the system.

Lawmakers concluded a rare overnight session in the early hours of Saturday, voting to refer the bill to committees for further debate. The measure eliminates the 205 crown ($9.45) household broadcasting fee. The state budget will now cover these costs directly.

The bill also reduces annual funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio by approximately 15 percent. Nominal funding levels will remain unchanged for several years following the initial cut. Prime Minister Andrej Babis pledged to abolish the fee before taking office last December. He stated the three-party government is now fulfilling that promise to voters.

Babis, a billionaire populist leading a coalition backed by the far-right SPD party, has frequently criticized media coverage of his administration. He described the new model as fairer to poorer households and more efficient for broadcasters. In a Facebook post late Friday, he rejected claims that the changes threaten press freedom. He wrote, "There is no war for independent media," and added that no nationalisation of media is being prepared.

Opposition parties compare the reforms to changes implemented under former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Employees at public broadcasters expressed alarm, arguing that state budget control increases government influence. Staff staged a strike in June to protest the planned funding shift.

Public media hold a prominent position in Czech society, ranking among the most trusted news sources. Czech Television is the most-watched broadcaster across several age groups. A civic group has organized a public demonstration for Sunday. Journalists and other employees have announced a strike for November 3.

The coalition pushed the proposal forward despite these concerns. The vote marks a major shift in how national broadcasters will be financed going forward.