Merger thoughts in the sunshine
Succession Until the RTVA is in place, Radio Sunshine is on stand-by.
Succession Until the RTVG is in place, Radio Sunshine is on stand-by.Markus Ruoss had received over a dozen purchase or cooperation offers for his Radio Sunshine by the end of November, but he has now rejected all but three. He won't say who is still in the running. In addition, he has suspended all negotiations anyway because he wants to wait for the RTVA, but he says he is keeping three other options open beyond the three offers: a management buyout, a "Central Switzerland version" and "everything stays the same". The last option, he notes in a letter to Werbewoche, would require a new business plan and a relocation.
Regarding the "Central Switzerland version", he only briefly specifies: "At least produce and market the programs centrally". The plural form is interesting! Is he considering cooperation or even merger talks with Radio Central and/or Pilatus?
This would not be far-fetched, as the three radios' broadcasting areas are almost identical, the music formats of Sunshine and Central at least are similar and the economic situation is no easier. Ruoss also feels the latter, although he emphasizes that he is in no way under economic pressure. However, he adds that he would like to see "significantly better results" in order to be able to invest in his "product".
How are the competitors reacting? At Pilatus, Managing Director Joachim Freiberg could not be reached by the editorial deadline. And at Central, Alfons Spirig said that he had already had similar thoughts: "Ruoss and I are certainly talking to each other." The talks have not progressed as far as the Sunshine boss suggested. There has also been no three-way deal with Pilatus so far.
(mk)
Regarding the "Central Switzerland version", he only briefly specifies: "At least produce and market the programs centrally". The plural form is interesting! Is he considering cooperation or even merger talks with Radio Central and/or Pilatus?
This would not be far-fetched, as the three radios' broadcasting areas are almost identical, the music formats of Sunshine and Central at least are similar and the economic situation is no easier. Ruoss also feels the latter, although he emphasizes that he is in no way under economic pressure. However, he adds that he would like to see "significantly better results" in order to be able to invest in his "product".
How are the competitors reacting? At Pilatus, Managing Director Joachim Freiberg could not be reached by the editorial deadline. And at Central, Alfons Spirig said that he had already had similar thoughts: "Ruoss and I are certainly talking to each other." The talks have not progressed as far as the Sunshine boss suggested. There has also been no three-way deal with Pilatus so far.
(mk)
