Nitpicking but this is a common misconception: > An changes to the fee have to be agreed upon by both chambers, Bundestag and Bundesrat. The federal governmen

Nitpicking but this is a common misconception: > An changes to the fee have to be agreed upon by both chambers, Bundestag and Bundesrat. The federal government, and thus Bundestag and Bundesrat, have no say in the funding or operation of Germany's public broadcasters. The exception being Deutsche Welle which is not available in Germany and has an "external" audience. The funding on operation of public broadcasters is instead determined by a compact between the 16 states.