Switzerland - Current situation - History

25.08.2016

In August 2016 it was confirmed that 53 percent of all radio listening in Switzerland is digital, taking it ahead of analogue for the first time. In the spring of 2016, digital radio – DAB+ or the internet – accounted for an average of 53 of every 100 minutes of radio listened to per day. Digital radio listening has therefore increased by eight
percentage points in a year, rising from 45 percent in the spring of 2015 to 53 percent in the same period
of 2016.

From 15 November 2016, listeners throughout Switzerland will be able to receive more of SRG SSR’s DAB+ channels. To make this possible, it is discontinuing operation of DAB.

In spring 2013, Swiss radio industry joined forces with the Federal Office of Communications OFCOM to form the Digital Migration (DigiMig) working group. In addition to OFCOM, it comprises representatives of the VSP association of Swiss private radio stations, the RRR association which represents regional radio stations in French-speaking Switzerland, the Unikom union of non-commercial local radio stations, Swiss public broadcaster SRG SSR, the automotive industry, and other sectors.

Analogue FM transmission in Switzerland will gradually be replaced by digital radio as of 2020. At the end of 2014, DigiMig presented a scenario for the analogue‒digital switchover to the Swiss Federal Council. SRG and most privately owned radio stations already broadcast via DAB+ in parallel with their FM signals. Some stations have even gone exclusively digital.

The "DigiMig" report sets out a possible route from FM to DAB+ with 15 concrete recommendations.
In the working group's view, radio stations throughout Swtizerland should be broadcast first and foremost digitally via DAB+ by 2024 at the latest, and the analogue FM transmitters phased out. It proposes two main phases for the switchover:

Phase 1 would run until 2019. The report provides for specific marketing and communications measures, for example, to promote digital radio listening at home and in the car. The new Radio and Television Act (RTVA) will also give the technology a significant boost. This phase will be accompanied by a dedicated programme of audience research.
Phase 2 provides for the phased switchoff of FM transmitters between 2020 and 2024, coordinated by region. The radio sector wishes to take independent responsibility for this process, and is currently drafting the corresponding agreement.

View the press release from DigiMig here. Further information is available in English.

Today there is one national multiplex with four regional multiplexes for the four different languages, three regional multiplexes and two local multiplexes and two city multiplexes (Geneva and Zurich areas), covering the German, French and Italian speaking areas of the country, with a mix of public and commercial services. End of 2012 the first step of the switchover of DAB to DAB+ took place.

Switzerland first launched DAB digital radio services in 1999 when the public broadcaster, SRG SSR went on air. The DAB+ services started as of 2008.

Click here for a powerpoint presentation (September 2015) providing an overview of the status of digital radio rollout in Switzerland.

18.05.2016

The Swiss Federal Council has adopted the "Digital Switzerland" strategy.

From 15 November 2016, listeners throughout Switzerland will be able to receive more of SRG SSR’s DAB+ channels. To make this possible, it is discontinuing operation of DAB.

In Switzerland 49% of radio listening is digital. In the spring of 2013, the Swiss radio industry joined forces with the broadcasting regulator, OFCOM, to form the Digital Migration (DigiMig) working group. In addition to OFCOM, the group comprises representatives of the VSP association of Swiss private radio stations, the RRR association which represents regional radio stations in French-speaking Switzerland, the Unikom union of non-commercial local radio stations, SRG, the automotive industry, and other sectors.

On 1 December 2014 the "DigiMig" working group published a report on switchover from FM to DAB+ and submitted their vision to Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, Head of DETEC.

View the press release from DigiMig here. Further information is available in English, French or German.

Phase 1 would run until 2019. The report provides for specific marketing and communications measures, for example, to promote digital radio listening at home and in the car. The new Radio and Television Act (RTVA) will also give the technology a significant boost. This phase will be accompanied by a dedicated programme of audience research.
Phase 2 provides for the phased switchoff of FM transmitters between 2020 and 2024, coordinated by region. The radio sector wishes to take independent responsibility for this process, and is currently drafting the corresponding agreement.

Switzerland first launched DAB digital radio services in 1999 when the public broadcaster, SRG SSR went on air. The DAB+ services started as of 2008.

Click here for a powerpoint presentation (September 2015) providing an overview of the status of digital radio rollout in Switzerland.

29.04.2016

On 1 December 2014 the "DigiMig" working group published a report on switchover from FM to DAB+ and submitted their vision to Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, Head of DETEC.

View the press release from DigiMig here. Further information is available in English, French or German.

Phase 1 would run until 2019. The report provides for specific marketing and communications measures, for example, to promote digital radio listening at home and in the car. The new Radio and Television Act (RTVA) will also give the technology a significant boost. This phase will be accompanied by a dedicated programme of audience research.
Phase 2 provides for the phased switchoff of FM transmitters between 2020 and 2024, coordinated by region. The radio sector wishes to take independent responsibility for this process, and is currently drafting the corresponding agreement.

Switzerland first launched DAB digital radio services in 1999 when the public broadcaster, SRG SSR went on air. The DAB+ services started as of 2008.

Click here for a powerpoint presentation (September 2015) providing an overview of the status of digital radio rollout in Switzerland.