Switzerland 5: New "Arena" to start in August at the latest
The channel Schweiz 5 is planning a rival program to Swiss Television's «Arena.» Possible hosts include Filippo Leutenegger and Roger Köppel.
Peter Heeb, CEO and sole member of the Board of Directors of Schweiz 5, told NZZ am Sonntag that the new "Arena" will start in April at the earliest, but in August at the latest. He is planning a program "with more pizzazz than the boring format of Swiss television", he is quoted as saying in the Sunday publication. Heeb names two preferred candidates for the presenter: Filippo Leutenegger, FDP National Councillor and former "Arena" presenter, and Roger Köppel, publisher and editor-in-chief of Weltwoche.
SVP chief strategist Christoph Blocher dedicated part of his Albisgüetli speech to SRG. He criticized the fact that the "Arena", based on Rudolf Matter's concept, dispensed with "real discussion" and debate. He called for the launch of an "own 'Arena'", with "real duels between distinguished political minds from different parties". This plan is now to be implemented soon with the program on Schweiz 5.
