DAB+ launches in German-speaking Switzerland with twelve channels

Private radio stations are now also broadcasting in digital quality. While the DAB range is reserved exclusively for SRG broadcasters, the DAB+ standard is also open to private radio providers. Radio Top Two, Life Channel, Radio Energy, Radio Basel DAB, Backstageradio and the licensed providers Radio Eviva and Open Broadcast can now be received via digital radio. The latter is currently being tested. In addition, the DAB+ program ensemble includes five SRG stations: DRS 4 News, Radio Swiss Jazz, Rete Tre and Option Musique, as reported by Swiss Media Cast, which is responsible for the development of the Swiss-German transmitter network, according to SDA. The English-language SRG program World Radio Switzerland (WRS) will also be broadcast via DAB+.

Günther Heuberger, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Swiss Media Cast, spoke to the media on Wednesday of an "opportunity for private broadcasters". According to Heuberger, Radio Energy is likely to prove to be the "driving force" behind the spread of digital radio. The popular Zurich station was left empty-handed in the FM license award for the Zurich-Glarus broadcasting area in October 2008. It will probably have to cease FM operations at the end of the year.
Offer to be expanded soon
For the time being, DAB+ can be received in German-speaking Switzerland in the cities of Zurich, Basel and Bern and their conurbations. From spring 2010, coverage of the areas between the urban agglomerations will follow. Expansion into the Winterthur area is also planned. Swiss Media Cast assumes that the range of eleven stations will soon be expanded. For example, the licensed stations Swiss Mountain Holiday Radio, Radio.ch, RadioJay and Djradio are to be switched on "shortly". A total of 18 channels are available for DAB+.