its the most rip off ever! how many channels/tv progs n radio progs they have in CH? 3, 4? and how much money they charge for that crap? i only watch german tv (if) and found all CH progs not very interesting. so its a double rip off as the content i watch isnt made/produced in CH. its by far too much money in general and thats nothing to do with BILLAG.

You can graon me as much as you want... I do not give a
I stand for my belief and I still disagree with the Billags agenda and the fact that they still exist as a money making organization is appalling.

As soon as I purchased a TV, I had a representative at my doorsteps who insisted to come inside and check what other antenna reception equipment I posses and if I have a radio in the car or even radio-alarm on my night table. I subscribe to Cablecom and already pay my dues in form of monthly susbscription plus internet. Both antenna TV and cable TV offer the same amount of programs that I am interested in except for that need to pay both. If I had only known in advance that there is compulsory payment to Billag, I would never subscribe for Cabelcom at the first place. As I am now on two-year contract with the latter one, I do not have much choice left in terms of paying or not

18 radio stations and 8 television channels. Information (in English) can be found at the Swiss Broadcast Group web page:

http://www.srgssrideesuisse.ch/1.0.h...geLang=set&L=4

An interesting Facts and Figures (Inc Costs) PDF for 2008 can be found:

http://www.srgssrideesuisse.ch/filea...ZDF_2008_e.pdf

Pat

Do you mistake them for the police?

7 TV channels and 18 radio stations. It's the issue of scale 6mio odd Swiss, 4 languages... probably not vast amounts of TV advertising revenues. If the BBC were serving only half of greater London, the license fee would be astronomical too and the service a fraction of what it is.

Now I dont have kids, and if I did would send them to private school, because I dont like Swiss education. Can I not pay the portion of my taxes related to education... were talking serious money... like 10000chf a year there.

I sorta feel some of you need to chill out a bit and take a more holistic view of life...

Daniel

Windows Media Player or Realplayer... the likelihood of someone with internet not having one of those is about zilch.

D

I had a visit from the Billag man the other day. I had not known about the rules about radio registration -- and he gave me a paper to sign which declares that I have a working radio.

Now the question-- can I expect to be fined because I didnot voluntarily register the radio? Has anyone had similar experiences?

Thanks.

No you wont' ge fined, you will be just receiving regular invoices sent to your postal address from a collection agency owned entirely by Swisscom called "Billag".

Seek in your EF's search engine for word Billag and surely you will find more entries on the topic. Do I have to get a TV licence from Billag? or Bye Bye Billag

it would be unusual to be fined in this situation, playing ignorance (genuine or otherwise) is usually an acceptable compromise as long as you register and start paying the 42CHF a quarter. but then your in the system and will have to remember to tell them when you move or your circumstances change!

Happened to me too at one point. The Billag man was "nice" enough not to backdate it though... only from the day he checked. No fine was applied..

Our apartment complex just received letters from Billag today. I thought that it was included in our "nebenkost" but I guess this means it is not.

Do I start paying now or backdate from when I arrived?

fduvall

I just need more info on how to deal with this maniacs please.

They just didn't send any bills since January, then all of a sudden we got a letter from porsuite that we didn't pay !!

Is there any kind of consumer protection association in switzerland that deal with this crazy company please?

I hope Billag understand you better than I do.

Do you mean you last received a bill in January? If so did you pay it? If not then that's why you are now being chased.

OR do you mean you have lived here since January and suddenly now you are being sued having received no bills.

And you you have a TV and radio?

Finally telling us on EF about it may make you feel better, but you'll need to contact Billag and tell them the situation - whatever it is...

January was paid, then porsuite for the next period, isn't it normally due after 3 pended payments with signed for notice first?

So you should have received a new invoice in March/April, no?

Did they actually get the poursuite running already or is it just a legal letter that they will start it in X days....

Might just be a strong reminder. The chances of the second invoice not getting there while you have received the one from January are rather small though... better get it sorted quickly

We seriously i think this would be a great hassle, at least within my current circumstances, so will just shut up & pay it.

Cheers anyway for the help

sounds like a mess at the billag side. I have found them very nice to deal with though.

if you paid in jan then that would cover you to at least end march. so the fact that the poursuite has been triggered already is strange. usually you get one warning, then you may receive another but that is NOT required. but with billag i think they do, then the poursuite is triggered.

(officially for pouirsuite in general, only ONE warning is necessary)

call them and see and explain calmly, it is obviously an error somewhere. if you are confrontational with them it will work against you. as i said i had a very nice chat with them about a 'similar' problem when i moved addresses.

While common this is not required by law:
The complete guide to bills and what happens if you don't pay them.

grrr you mods! all knowing guru's (c;

that's the post i was looking for.

It requires Windows though, so I would think Mac/Linux users should still be safe.

Hope so anyway...