Switzerland
Last update: 11.01.2021 - older versions
DAB+ is now the most widely used radio distribution channel in Switzerland, claiming 39% of all listening.
Digital switchover
In August 2020, DigiMig (the digital migration working group) announced that the phase-off of FM services would take place in two stages between August 2022 (SRG) and January 2023 (private stations). The switchoff was confirmed in December 2020, when members of the radio association and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation agreed to migrate to DAB+.
Public broadcaster SSR SRG operates one platform in each of the four regions of the country. There are transmitter networks for private radio stations in German-speaking Switzerland (SwissMediaCast) and in French-speaking Switzerland (Romandie Médias SA).
Listening figures
Digital radio use in Switzerland increased from 49% in autumn 2015 to 71% in Spring 2020. 39% of all listening is via DAB+.
Last update: 15.04.2020 - older versions
Digital radio on DAB+ in Switzerland reaches over 99% of the population (outdoor 99%, indoor over 96%). 99% of the roads are covered, including high way tunnels.
The latest commissioning is published as news on www.broadcast.ch.
Further resources on DAB+ coverage in Switzerland
Last update: 13.07.2016 - older versions
In this country there are
- National multiplexes: 4 Regular
- Regional multiplexes: 3 Regular
- Local multiplexes: 2 Regular
The original four multiplexes are run by the public broadcaster SRG SSR. The first commercial DAB+ multiplex which was launched on 13 October 2009 now broadcasts 14 commercial radio stations and three public radio stations in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. A second commercial DAB+ multiplex started in December 2012 in the German speaking part with 13 commercial and 3 public radio stations and a first regional commercial DAB+ multiplex in the French speaking part with 13 commercial and two public radio stations started at the end of 2013. A local multiplex (Geneva region) started in May 2014 with 12 commercial and non-profit radio stations and a second local multiplex started in Zurich in August 2014.
For an up to date list of services on air please visit http://www.broadcast.ch/data_program_dab.aspx
SlideShow
Most stations use slideshow. The website http://www.dab-swiss.ch/html/programme.html has an excel list with more details.
Simulcast on AM / FM | Exclusive on digital | Total of services | |
---|---|---|---|
DAB programmes | 6 | 9 | 15 |
DAB+ programmes | 80 | 41 | 121 |
Total | 86 | 50 | 136 |
Last update: 08.10.2020 - older versions
96% of new cars in Switzerland now with DAB+ as standard (Q1 2020)
OFCOM surveys show that the proportion of new vehicles in which DAB+ reception is fitted as standard rose sharply again in 2018 and is now over 91%. This means that the requirement that will apply in the European Union from the end of 2020, whereby every new passenger vehicle must be DAB+-capable, has almost already been met in Switzerland.
In 2019, it estimated that around 315.000 new cars equipped with DAB+ radio were sold.
DAB+ now the most popular form of reception in cars
In cars, DAB+ has also taken over from FM as the principal means of receiving radio broadcasts. Among motorists, reception of transmissions via DAB+ or internet radio now accounts for 55 percent of total usage.
Last update: 12.02.2020 - older versions
Digital radio usage now 68%, with DAB+ the most widely used radio reception method
At the end of 2019, use of digital radio by Swiss citizens averaged 64 minutes per 100 radio minutes per day. Of this figure, 37% was accounted for by DAB+, making it the most widely used radio reception method.
Over 600,000 DAB+ radios sold in 2019
In 2019, nearly 300,000 DAB+ radios were sold, plus around 315,000 new cars equipped with DAB+ radio.
Last update: 11.01.2021 - older versions
Digital switchover
The Swiss radio industry is moving forward with the deactivation of FM services.
SRG will decommission its FM transmitters in August 2022 to make it easier for commercial operators to switch over. Private radio stations will then deactivate their FM transmitters in January 2023.
The FM phase-out plan became binding for all broadcasters in December 2020, when a majority of broadcasters agreed to the proposal of the FM phase-out plan.
Key features of regulation for digital radio in Switzerland are:
- Band III
- National multiplexes
- All stations are on DAB+
- In 2013 stand-alone Band III ensembles were authorised by the regulator in the main conurbations, intended as a DAB+ platform for the smaller, non-commercial broadcasters
- On December 1st 2014 radio market players presented to the regulator a detailed digital switch over plan
- In 2016, it was decided that all services in the future should be DAB+
- OFCOM holds the spectrum licence
- In mid-February 2012, OFCOM awarded a broadcast licence to Romandie Médias SA to operate a further DAB+ network in French-speaking Switzerland. The new platform, which has a capacity of up to 18 DAB+ stations, went on air in April 2014.
- The SRG licence includes the operation of a DAB multiplex and transmission network in Band III. The transmitter sites are operated by Swisscom Broadcast, but SRG is responsible for the planning of the network, signal generating and multiplexing.
Last update: 05.05.2020 - older versions
Over the past few years, a number of campaigns have launched in Switzerland on national TV and radio, to help promote DAB+ and inform listeners, drivers and consumers of the benefits of digital radio.
Current campaign
In order to encourage listeners to switch to digital reception at home and in the car, a multi-year information campaign was launched on 4 May 2020. It is intended to support the audience with information and assistance during the upcoming FM phase-out. The campaign will include TV and radio spots, social media activities, out-of-home advertising, measures for equipment dealers and car dealerships, plus a helpdesk to advise the public. The campaign will run until the final FM switch-off.
Previous campaigns
Last update: 08.04.2019 - older versions
Switzerland is also a pioneer in DAB/DAB+ tunnel rebroadcast systems. There are currently eight tunnels equipped and the plan is to cover up to 200 tunnels using 100 head ends and 1,000 transmitting sites. Emergency voice break-in, signal levels, system design and interfaces are also going to be specified.
The emergency alerting system in Switzerland for disasters today primarily relies on sirens (for “wake-up”) and Swiss Radio (for delivering the information). Swiss Radio currently broadcasts via VHF as well as via DAB+. Information can also be displayed on TV on banners and teletext, although this was only used once so far. In addition to this, cantons and municipalities are free to add their own channels for their official information (e.g., Twitter or Facebook).
In the next years, additional channels will be added. As of 2018, emergency alerts, warnings and information will also be published via the smartphone App “Alertswiss”, and the Website www.alertswiss.ch . As of 2019, further channels shall be added.
Regarding DAB+ in particular, the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) has undertaken different technical assessments and studies. Swiss Post, in collaboration with FOCP, has developed and successfully tested a prototype of a smart letterbox display that can show governmental information in case of an emergency. This information can be transmitted via DAB+. See also: https://youtu.be/kfTu4C7G3-Y
On its 70th anniversary, EBU maintains initial vision
05.05.2020 - European Broadcasting Union (EBU) WorldDAB Member - Switzerland
(Radio World) Read more
New DAB+ information campaign prepares Switzerland for the phase-out of FM
05.05.2020 - OFCOM Switzerland WorldDAB Member - Switzerland
(https://www.dabplus.ch/) Read more
FM broadcasts ceased in Les Brenets, Switzerland
04.05.2020 - Switzerland
(RTN) Read more
New DAB+ campaign launches in Switzerland
04.05.2020 - Switzerland
(La Lettre Pro) Read more
New transmitter goes on air in western Switzerland
29.04.2020 - Switzerland
(Rtn.ch) Read more
EBU publishes Technical Report TR 051 on Measuring Techniques for DAB Coverage Performance
28.04.2020 - European Broadcasting Union (EBU) WorldDAB Member - Switzerland
(WorldDAB) Read more
Which DAB+ radio is right for me?
14.04.2020 - Panasonic Automotive Systems Europe GmbH WorldDAB Member - Roberts Radio Limited WorldDAB Member - Switzerland
(Online PC) Read more
Three quarters of Swiss people listen to digital radio
20.02.2020 - OFCOM Switzerland WorldDAB Member - Switzerland
(La Lettre Pro) Read more
DAB+ progress in the spotlight at Digital Radio Summit
12.02.2020 - OFCOM Switzerland WorldDAB Member - Switzerland
(European Broadcasting Union) Read more
DAB+ now the most widely used radio distribution channel in Switzerland
10.02.2020 - Switzerland
(Ofcom) Read more
Key Information
Status: | regular |
Population: | 8.1 million |
Population coverage: | |
Services: | 15 DAB, 121 DAB+ |
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: | |
Total Sales (cumulative): | 5,068,000 devices |
Last update: 08.10.2020
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Useful Links
dabplus.chSwissmediacast.ch
Digimig DSO papers (in English)
Switzerland DSO - OFCOM
Broadcast.ch