Czech Television and Czech Radio strike over Babiš plan to scrap licence fees

Staff at Czech Television and Czech Radio went on strike on November 3 against the government's plan to replace licence fees with funding from the state budget, Expats.cz reported. The strike was organized by the employee initiative "Veřejnoprávně", which says it has the backing of almost 3,200 of about 4,250 staff at the two broadcasters.

The coalition of ANO, SPD and the Motorists proposes CZK 5.74 billion for Czech Television and CZK 2.065 billion for Czech Radio from the budget. That is about CZK 1.4 billion, or roughly 15 percent, less than expected licence-fee income in 2026. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš says payments would be guaranteed by law and linked to inflation.

A bill at first reading

The bill passed its first reading at 4:36 a.m. during an overnight session. Thousands gathered in Prague's Old Town Square on October 25, with smaller protests in Brno, Liberec and České Budějovice. President Petr Pavel called for a calmer debate and questioned the speed of the vote.