Czech proposal threatens to strip public broadcasters of 15 million annually
A Czech parliamentary proposal threatens to strip public broadcasters Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (rozhlas) of 15 million euros annually by exempting citizens over 75 and companies with fewer than 50 employees from mandatory licence fees. The draft law, submitted to the Chamber of Deputies on 25 May 2026, would slash the broadcasters’ revenue by hundreds of millions of crowns, according to media analyst Filip Rožánek in *Deník N* .
The exemption targets two groups: individuals aged 75+ and businesses employing up to 50 people. Rožánek warns the move would "weaken and destabilise" the public media system, which relies on the fees for operational funding. The proposal aligns with long-standing political debates over the fairness of the licence fee model, though critics argue it violates EU regulations on public media financing.
No vote has been scheduled, but the bill’s introduction marks the first concrete step toward reform since the 2021 elections. If passed, the changes would take effect in 2027, forcing ČT and rozhlas to seek alternative funding or cut services. The broadcasters have not yet commented publicly on the proposal.

