Star TV no longer shows Swiss films

Star TV has always felt committed to Swiss film, the station writes in a statement. Therefore, as part of the programming change on September 1, 2012, a programming window was opened on Thursday evenings each week to allow a Swiss feature film or documentary to be broadcast (Werbewoche.ch reported). The station will now have to do without this for the time being, starting in March. SRF wants to use the Swiss films it co-produces exclusively for itself as part of its contracts with producers, some of which last more than ten years.

"This is understandable in approach. On the other hand, it is incomprehensible and unacceptable that films that are not intended for further broadcast by SRF are no longer released for Star TV," says Paul Grau, CEO of Star TV. Grau continues: "Out of fear of getting into trouble with the market-dominating broadcaster, producers are reacting in an intimidating manner.

As part of a new agreement between SRF and Swiss film producers, solutions are to be found in the future that will allow Swiss films to be broadcast again on private TV stations. "Actually, this would be more than sensible; ultimately, CH films are mainly financed by fee and film subsidy money. Consequently, Swiss viewers have a basic right to Swiss films. Something like this must not be monopolized," Grau adds. 

SRF spokesman Martin Reichlin cannot understand the accusations and expressed surprise to Werbewoche.ch about Star TV's announcement: "SRF is in constant contact with the person responsible for programming at Star TV. There has not been a single concrete request from the channel for a Swiss film that we have turned down. While we believe that the films in question should first be shown on SRF, this does not mean that we withhold them from other broadcasters. SRF has great interest in Swiss film getting high visibility." (hae)