Government SRG's switch-off of FM radio at the end of 2024 is approaching
As the end of 2024 approaches, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation's shutdown of ultra-short wave (FM) radio is also drawing closer. However, around two dozen private radio stations in Switzerland will continue to broadcast via FM and will not discontinue the service until the end of 2026 at the latest.
22.12.2024, 09:30
22.12.2024, 13:53
SDA
The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG) will switch off its 850 ultra-shortwave radio antennas at midnight on December 31, 2024. According to its own figures, this will save around CHF 15 million per year.
Anyone who has been listening to the SRF radio stations SRF 1, SRF 2 Kultur and SRF 3 via FM and would like to continue doing so in the new year will therefore have to switch to the digital radio broadcasting technology DAB+ or Internet radio. All other SRG programs are already only available via the Internet or DAB+, and SRG needs around 260 antennas to broadcast DAB+.
Digital radio is becoming increasingly widespread
According to the Federal Office of Communications (Bakom), around 10 percent of the population in Switzerland still listen to the radio exclusively via FM. Meanwhile, the use of DAB+ and internet radio has risen continuously since 2015: for DAB+ from 23% to 41% in 2023 and for internet radio from 26% to 39%.
FM radio was still most frequently listened to in the car last year at 33%, but digital use predominated there too, according to Bakom.
The positions of SRG and Bakom have not changed since SRG announced the switch-off at the end of June this year: Both sides still consider the procedure to be sensible and justifiable. This is also in view of the fact that private radio stations remain free to continue broadcasting via FM until December 31, 2026.
At the end of October 2023, the Federal Council extended the FM radio licenses for the radio sector for the last time to this date. This is to allow the radio industry to implement individual switch-off solutions, as Bakom writes in response to an inquiry from Keystone-SDA.
Twelve Swiss-German radios remain on FM
The private radio stations in German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino also welcome the SRG's move and are also using their own leeway: some of the 25 radio stations will begin switching off individual, mostly smaller FM transmitters in peripheral regions at the beginning of 2025. However, several main stations, including facilities of eight FM stations belonging to the CH Media Group, will remain receivable. Another part of the radio stations will not switch off any FM transmitters prematurely and will wait until the end of 2026 before switching off.
However, private radio stations in western Switzerland are still concerned about the matter: Philippe Zahno, President of Regional Radio Western Switzerland (RRR), says: "We are sticking to our position. And that is that we need more time to prepare for the shutdown." All eleven regional private radio stations in French-speaking Switzerland are not expected to cease FM broadcasting until the end of 2026.
According to Zahno, French radio stations have a strong presence in French-speaking Switzerland. There are fears that they could gain even more Swiss listeners after the FM switch-off if they do not want to take the step to DAB+. Around 10 percent of French-speaking Swiss already regularly listen to radio stations from France.
Lower DAB+ quota in car radios in French-speaking Switzerland
Another problem is car radios: the DAB+ quota for cars circulating in French-speaking Switzerland was only 45% as of August 2024, compared to 57% in German-speaking Switzerland, explains Zahno, citing figures collected as part of a Bakom study.
In response to both objections, Bakom says that it is possible that some of these people will switch to foreign channels after the FM switch-off. However, experience to date suggests that radio listeners are generally very loyal to their favorite station and that the majority will follow it to a digital distribution channel.
Adapters can provide a remedy
At least there is a solution to the car problem: most old FM car radios have an AUX/IN connection. These radios can be fitted with an adapter to receive DAB+. An adapter can also be used for stereo systems at home if an AUX/IN connection is available.
