Switzerland - Current situation - History
28.08.2015
In Switzerland 45% 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 here.
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.
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 (March 2014) providing an overview of the status of digital radio rollout in Switzerland.
05.08.2015
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 here.
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.
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 (March 2014) providing an overview of the status of digital radio rollout in Switzerland.
02.12.2014
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 here.
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.
Today there is one national multiplex with four regional multiplexes for the four different languages, three regional multiplexes and one local multiplex (Geneva area), covering the German, French and Italian speaking areas of the country, with a mix of public and commercial services. One local multiplex (Zurich area) is planned to be launched still in 2014. 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 (March 2014) providing an overview of the status of digital radio rollout in Switzerland.