Poland plans to eliminate the RTV subscription fee by January 1, 2027, replacing it with direct state funding of 2.5 billion złoty annually.
Abolition of RTV Subscription
The RTV subscription fee has long been one of the least effective instruments for financing state institutions. According to government data, only about 35% of obligated parties regularly pay the fee. In practice, this means that most households, despite the formal obligation, do not settle this payment. The low collection rate, not just social reluctance toward the “archaic fee,” has become one of the main arguments for changing the system.
For the first time, a specific date has been directly indicated. According to the draft law, the obligation to pay the RTV subscription is set to be eliminated on January 1, 2027. This means that 2026 will be the last year in which citizens will be obligated to pay it.
Funding Transition and Disputes
The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, led by Marta Cienkowska, points out that the RTV subscription does not align with the realities of the media market dominated by streaming platforms and on-demand services. According to the ministry’s assessment, the current model provides neither stable revenues nor social acceptance, which has led to political tensions and successive attempts to “patch up” the system.
The initial amount has been set at 2.5 billion złoty annually. As emphasized by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, this amount results from an audit conducted at Polish Television and talks with the Ministry of Finance. The funds are to be annually indexed to the inflation rate, which – according to the authors of the draft – is to ensure stable financing and limit annual political disputes during the budget adoption process.
However, the proposal for a fixed subsidy of 2.5 billion złoty raises clear doubts within the government itself. The Ministry of Finance signals that such a high, rigid expenditure may constitute a significant burden on public finances, especially in the context of the EU excessive deficit procedure.
Media Governance Reforms
The draft law goes far beyond the mere abolition of the RTV subscription. One of the key constitutional changes is to be the liquidation of the National Media Council. Its competences are to be taken over by the National Council of Radio and Television (KRRiT), which itself is to undergo a deep reform.
The plan calls for increasing the number of KRRiT members to nine. Four of them are to be chosen by the Sejm, two by the Senate, and three by the President – with candidates indicated by the head of state needing to receive the support of industry organizations. The composition of the Council is to be renewed rotationally every two years, which is to limit its political “freezing” for one term.
Additionally, a requirement of apolitical nature and expertise will be introduced. Candidates for KRRiT and boards of public media will not be able to belong to political parties for five years prior, nor to run in general elections for ten years. A minimum of five years of experience in media or media law will also be required.
Unpaid Subscriptions and Potential Roadblocks
An important element of the draft is the issue of unpaid RTV subscription liabilities. The abolition of the fee does not automatically mean the write-off of arrears. The Ministry of Culture has proposed that arrears expire no later than December 31, 2028. This provision faces opposition from the Ministry of State Assets, which considers the proposed deadline too short.
The draft also includes controversial provisions regarding local media. Local governments will only be allowed to publish informational bulletins without editorial or advertising content. The authors of the draft argue that the current model leads to unfair competition with private media and blurs the line between information and propaganda.
The future of the reform remains uncertain. Particularly contentious may prove to be the provisions regarding the liquidation of the National Media Council and changes in KRRiT, which target solutions introduced by the previous government. An additional risk factor is the position of President Karol Nawrocki, who took office on August 6, 2025, as he may veto the law if it does not align with his vision for public media.
