Radiotjänsts

Radiotjänsts was a Swedish government agency responsible for collecting the broadcast levy, known as the radio-och TV-avgift, in Sweden. Established in 1967, its primary function was to ensure that public service broadcasters in Sweden, Sveriges Television (SVT) and Sveriges Radio (SR), received their funding through this levy. The agency was tasked with managing the administration and collection of these fees from households and companies that owned or had access to television and radio equipment.

The broadcast levy was a significant source of funding for Swedish public service media, allowing them to operate independently of commercial advertising and political influence. Radiotjänsts was responsible for identifying liable individuals and entities, issuing invoices, and pursuing non-payment. The system underwent several changes throughout its existence, with debates often arising regarding its fairness and effectiveness.

In recent years, there was a significant shift in how public service broadcasting was funded in Sweden. Starting in January 2019, the broadcast levy was replaced by a general tax-financed system. This change led to the dissolution of Radiotjänsts. The responsibilities previously held by Radiotjänsts were transferred to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), which now handles the collection of the new, broader tax that funds SVT and SR. The transition aimed to simplify the collection process and ensure a more stable funding stream for public service media.