• Subscribe to our Daily News Emails
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

German cable carriage fee row heats up

January 19, 2016 11.20 Europe/London By Jörn Krieger

ARD+ZDFThe dispute regarding the question whether German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF have to pay carriage fees to the large cable operators has gained a new chapter.

As the cable companies haven’t been able to push through their interests in court so far, they are now trying to mandate carriage payments with political support.

In a joint statement, the telecommunications companies assembled in industry alliance Netzallianz Digitales Deutschland and the Federal German minister for digital infrastructure, Alexander Dobrindt, demand from the chairwoman of the broadcast commission of the federal states as well as from the heads of the state and senate chancelleries legal establishment of clarification concerning the unresolved cable fee issue, according to German financial newspaper Handelsblatt. Dobrindt wants to send the statement to the federal states shortly, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure confirmed.

The cable distribution of the public broadcasters’ main channels is mandated as must carry status in the national broadcast law and in the federal states’ media laws. The dispute focuses on the question whether ARD and ZDF have to pay carriage fees to the cable operators for their retransmission service.

Until the end of 2012, both broadcasters payed a total of around €60 million in carriage fees per year, but, for historic reasons, only to the large cable companies. The other cable operators, IPTV operators and internet TV providers distribute the channels without financial compensation.

In June 2012, ARD and ZDF cancelled their cable carriage contracts with Kabel Deutschland (now Vodafone) and Unitymedia effective December 31, 2012, arguing that the payments were not in line with current market conditions any longer. The cable companies have been challenging the public broadcasters’ decision in court since then, but without much success, while continuing carriage of their channels as required by law.

The demand by the industry alliance and the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure not only calls for legal clarification, according to Handelsblatt. An “appropriate payment” for the distribution should be ensured, requests the statement leaked to the newspaper.

A law mandating carriage payments could lead to a chain reaction. In the past, smaller cable operators have been demanding to put an end to the unequal treatment and start paying them carriage fees. If carriage fees are legally stipulated, not only Vodafone and Unitymedia will hold out their hands.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Related

Filed Under: Cable, Distribution, Editor's Choice, Newsline, TV Tagged With: cable, carriage fee, Germany, Kabel Deutschland, Unitymedia, Vodafone Edited: 20 January 2016 11:46

Avatar photo

About Jörn Krieger

Jörn reports on the latest developments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Since 1992, he has been working as a freelance journalist, specialised in digital media, broadcast technology, convergence and new markets. He also takes up University lectureships, writes articles in specialist publications, and produces radio reports. Jörn is also a moderator of panel discussions at industry events such as ANGA COM, Medientage München and IFA Berlin.

Latest News

  • MultiChoice planning revamp of DStv service
  • Eutelsat confirms UK involvement in capital increase
  • Broadcasters confirmed for Ligue 1 football coverage
  • DVB releases findings from Film Grain Synthesis study
  • TVP VOD reports large increase in linear channel streaming

Most Popular

  • MultiChoice planning revamp of DStv service
    MultiChoice planning revamp of DStv service
  • Broadcasters confirmed for Ligue 1 football coverage
    Broadcasters confirmed for Ligue 1 football coverage
  • Sky adds new rewards to loyalty programme
    Sky adds new rewards to loyalty programme
  • Eutelsat confirms UK involvement in capital increase
    Eutelsat confirms UK involvement in capital increase
  • Disney+ and ITVX agree reciprocal content share 
    Disney+ and ITVX agree reciprocal content share 
  • DAZN picks up international rights to Serie A 
    DAZN picks up international rights to Serie A 
  • Warner Bros Discovery confirms Wimbledon plans
    Warner Bros Discovery confirms Wimbledon plans

White Paper

Eutelsat planning capital increase to become European Starlink

The French state has bolstered its take in Eutelsat as part of a €1.35 billion capital increase. … [Download the White Paper ...]

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Editorial

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Commercial

Arundel View Cottage
Wepham
West Sussex
BN18 9RA
sales@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2025 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.