Federal Administrative Court: Concession procedure was "legally compliant"
In its ruling, the Federal Administrative Court described the licensing procedure for Zurich’s private radio stations—which Radio Energy had criticized in its appeal—as «in accordance with the law.» The DETEC was correct in rating Radio 1 higher than Radio Energy.
In its ruling, the Federal Administrative Court describes the licensing procedure for the Zurich private radio stations criticized by Radio Energy in its complaint as "legally compliant". The Uvek had rightly rated Radio 1 higher than Radio Energy. The decision was based on criteria such as working conditions or the variety of information on offer, but not the popularity of the program with the public, according to a press release from SDA. Against this background, the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications (DETEC) made a "proper, equitable and comprehensible" decision. Radio 1 was therefore rightly rated better than the losing broadcaster from the Ringier media group. The latter had argued in the appeal that it should be rated better in terms of enriching the diversity of opinion and offerings. This criterion was only decisive if the applications were to be regarded as equivalent. However, this was not the case. Even if this had been the case, Radio 1 would still have scored better according to the court.
Extended broadcasting area for Radio 24, Radio 1 and Radio Zürisee
A year ago, Radio 24 (Tamedia), Roger Schawinski's Radio 1 and Radio Zürisee (Zürisee Medien AG) were awarded a license for the Zurich/Glarus broadcasting area. Radio Energy (Ringier) was left completely empty-handed, especially as it had not applied for the small license for the greater Zurich area.The Federal Administrative Court's decision means that Radio 24, Radio 1 and Radio Zürisee will now receive a definitive new license. This goes hand in hand with an expansion of the broadcasting area. Radio Zürisee, for example, will in future be able to cover the entire cantons of Zurich and Glarus as well as parts of the cantons of St. Gallen, Schwyz and Aargau via FM. Thanks to the new Üetliberg transmitter site, the reception situation in the city of Zurich and the surrounding area will also be improved.
Five objections still pending
Five appeals against licensing decisions are still pending. It is unclear when the decisions will be made, as a spokesperson for the Federal Administrative Court told SDA on Friday. Three appeals against radio licenses are still pending. In the Aargau coverage area, Radio AG has lodged an appeal against the license for Radio Argovia. In south-eastern Switzerland, Radio Südost is appealing against the award of the license for Radio Grischa and in the Jura Arc, LuNE has lodged an objection against the license for Arc FM. Two decisions by the Federal Administrative Court are still pending for the regional television stations. In eastern Switzerland, Tele Säntis is complaining about the license awarded to Tele Ostschweiz and in the Jura Arc, Arc TV is disputing the license awarded to Canal Alpha.
Originally, there were more appeals. However, due to takeovers and the transfer of licenses, submissions to the court have been withdrawn, as Andrea Arcidiacono, spokesperson for the Federal Administrative Court, said on request.
Extended broadcasting area for Radio 24, Radio 1 and Radio Zürisee
A year ago, Radio 24 (Tamedia), Roger Schawinski's Radio 1 and Radio Zürisee (Zürisee Medien AG) were awarded a license for the Zurich/Glarus broadcasting area. Radio Energy (Ringier) was left completely empty-handed, especially as it had not applied for the small license for the greater Zurich area.The Federal Administrative Court's decision means that Radio 24, Radio 1 and Radio Zürisee will now receive a definitive new license. This goes hand in hand with an expansion of the broadcasting area. Radio Zürisee, for example, will in future be able to cover the entire cantons of Zurich and Glarus as well as parts of the cantons of St. Gallen, Schwyz and Aargau via FM. Thanks to the new Üetliberg transmitter site, the reception situation in the city of Zurich and the surrounding area will also be improved.
Five objections still pending
Five appeals against licensing decisions are still pending. It is unclear when the decisions will be made, as a spokesperson for the Federal Administrative Court told SDA on Friday. Three appeals against radio licenses are still pending. In the Aargau coverage area, Radio AG has lodged an appeal against the license for Radio Argovia. In south-eastern Switzerland, Radio Südost is appealing against the award of the license for Radio Grischa and in the Jura Arc, LuNE has lodged an objection against the license for Arc FM. Two decisions by the Federal Administrative Court are still pending for the regional television stations. In eastern Switzerland, Tele Säntis is complaining about the license awarded to Tele Ostschweiz and in the Jura Arc, Arc TV is disputing the license awarded to Canal Alpha.
Originally, there were more appeals. However, due to takeovers and the transfer of licenses, submissions to the court have been withdrawn, as Andrea Arcidiacono, spokesperson for the Federal Administrative Court, said on request.
