20.02.2008
Television fees are inspected in the Päijät-Häme and Kymenlaakso regions. During the first two days of the intensified inspections, 648 viewers, who had not submitted the notification of taking a television set into use, were caught.
The inspections focus on households which have failed to submit the notification of taking a television set into use. Television fee inspectors have lists on the places of residence without a valid television notification. The lists are based on a comparison of the resident information in the population information system with those who have submitted a television notification. The Act on the State Television and Radio Fund enables the comparison. In addition to the regional, intensified inspections, 83 inspectors continuously tour the country.
The approximately 46,000 households in the television fee campaign area were sent a campaign letter and form to be used for submitting a television notification. According to the estimates, approximately half the households, who had not made a television notification, used a television set.
Campaigns with regional focus and intensified inspections are an efficient way to mobilize viewers who have neglected to submit their notification: in October 2006, about 11 percent of households in this area submitted a television notification due to the campaign letter. The campaign area currently has about 182,000 television fee payers.
The obligation to pay the television fee remains the same during the digital television era. Cable television households must pay the television fee during the extended period granted to analogue distribution, until the end of February 2008, even though the household did not have a digital box. Viewers need to have submitted the television notification if they can receive television transmissions.
If the obligation to submit a television notification is neglected, the sanction may rise up to 500 euros. The television fee is EUR 215.45 per year, i.e. less than EUR 0.60 per day. The television fee can be paid in 6-month instalments (EUR 108.40), in 3-month instalments (EUR 54.85) or in monthly instalment (EUR 18.60): You can submit the notification by submitting a form available at post offices, by contacting our customer service tel. 09 613 161 or on our website at www.tv-maksu.fi.
The television fee collected from the users of television ensures reliable and versatile programmes of good quality on the channels of the Finnish Broadcasting Company i.e. YLE. YLE promotes and creates culture in Finland. And, YLE provides television and radio programmes to all viewer groups.
Further information:
Anssi Laakso, Director, tel. +358 9 6966 301, +358 40 500 5549