Hi Lara The licence fees that PRT pays are part of the...

Hi Lara

The licence fees that PRT pays are part of the Broadcasting and Transmission expenses which last year showed up as $37.5 million.

The licence fees last year were payed at a rate of 4.5% before the 25% reduction after last years budget when it was reduced to 3.375%.

The fees are charged on gross revenue which last year was $235 million. Working on 3.375% they would have payed approx. $8 million in licence fees. So yes a huge reduction for them going forward if all is passed in the Budget next week.

This decrease will be offset though by an increase in Spectrum fees which will be an approx. charge of $40 million between all the networks. Assuming that the three regionals such as PRT only reach 25% of the population I would expect that $10 million (ie 25% of $40m) will be divided between them (not sure if the radio networks also have to contribute). Either way, they will probably have to pay an additional $3 million but will end up with a total saving of approx. $5 million.

This is my understanding of the rules as regulations as they stand If I have made a false assumption I am more than happy to be corrected.

Hope this helps.