Radio SRF 2 Kultur celebrates its 65th anniversary
On December 16, 1956, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (as it was then known) launched its second radio service. Music by Felix Mendelssohn was the first item on the program 65 years ago. Today, Radio SRF 2 Kultur offers a wide range of cultural topics and classical music and is Switzerland’s largest cultural program.
With the start in 1956, a wish of many listeners at the time came true: the desire for a second radio offering, an additional program to the Beromünster national station. The programming contrast in the first few years was that selected programs from the Beromünster program were broadcast at other times on the new FM channel. At the beginning, the new station went on the air only in the evening hours and on Saturday afternoons.
Technology as a driver of the second radio offer
The launch of the second radio service 65 years ago heralded the era of noise-free FM reception. At that time, the aim was not to launch a cultural program, but to test a new technology. The aim was also to rebroadcast content from the Beromünster program at a different time - "time-delayed," as we would say today.
In 2021, the technical challenge will be digitization, which has once again significantly changed radio use in recent years. "Today, too, we are setting a new course. In addition to the cultural program on the radio, we also produce podcasts. In this way, we also reach the culturally interested audience with our audio offerings regardless of time and location," says Barbara Gysi, Head of Radio SRF 2 Kultur. "Because it's not just young people who decide when they want to listen to what. Older listeners who are used to radio are also using our audio content more and more autonomously."
To mark its 65th birthday, Radio SRF 2 Kultur will broadcast music titles by composers and performers who are also celebrating their birthdays on Thursday, December 16. In addition, there are historical tidbits from earlier radio times to listen to. In a special edition of the "Klassiktelefon," Radio SRF 2 Kultur will also accept wishes with which listeners can wish a family member or friend a happy birthday.
The culture and knowledge station Radio SRF 2 Culture Today
Today's program of Radio SRF 2 Culture is characterized by a broad variety of current and in-depth reporting. Topics from the areas of culture, society and politics form the foundation during the day.
