New owner of Radio 24 approved
Radio Medien AG is acquiring Radio 24 from Tamedia. The Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy, and Communications (UVEK) has approved the corresponding transfer of Radio 24's license.
With the approval of the Uvek, Radio 24's FM radio license in the Zurich-Glarus coverage area changes hands. Radio 24 was previously 100 percent owned by Tamedia. It now belongs to Radio Medien AG, which is owned by publisher Peter Wanner's BT Holding.
The takeover of the license will not result in any personnel or journalistic changes. The proven program of Radio 24 will be continued. This is what Bakom wrote on Friday. The new owner undertakes to comply with the assurances given by Radio 24 in its license application regarding the scope, content, nature and financing of the program.
The Uvek had conducted a public consultation with the governments of the cantons of Zurich and Aargau as well as with other interested parties. None of the eight comments argued in principle against approval. After expiry of the 30-day appeal period to the Federal Administrative Court, the Uvek's decision will enter into force.
According to the Radio and Television Act (RTVG), a company may acquire a maximum of two radio licenses, according to Bakom. BT Holding already holds two radio licenses, Radio Argovia and Radio 32. Because Radio Argovia is a provisionally granted license, it is not attributable to BT Holding. At present, it is still open to whom the FM license will definitely be awarded in Aargau; the corresponding procedure is still pending. In the meantime, BT Holding has announced the sale of its majority stake in Radio 32. The necessary approval from the Uvek is still pending.
