SRF loses market share slightly
Despite the public service debate and criticism of individual broadcast formats: The TV stations of Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) continue to be among the most popular with viewers. Last year, SRF stations were again the most frequently tuned in in Swiss homes.
However, the daily average market share declined slightly, from 32.2 to 30.3 percent. SRF also lost viewers slightly in the most important hours of the day, the main evening from 7 to 10.30 pm. Here, the market share fell to 38.8 percent (down from 41). This is according to the audience figures published by SRF on Wednesday. However, SRF is not surprised by this, because there were no major sporting events in 2015. As expected, the market shares declined somewhat.
"Of course, the lack of sports events is not the only reason," SRF Director Ruedi Matter admitted to the media. There is more and more competition, he said. Especially later in the evening, SRF programs are having trouble getting viewers in front of the screen and keeping them there. Programs like Rundschau, Club and Arena are under pressure in terms of ratings. But they are still frontrunners in their broadcast slot, Matter stressed. "That's what we're interested in." In addition, he said, these formats are important for the country.
Politically under pressure
SRF is also under pressure politically. Fee-financed television is coming under increasing criticism. Matter emphasized, however, that this pressure "has not affected the design of our programs." But everyone in the house is of course aware of the need to offer the best quality, he said. "This also includes that we remain journalistically independent."
SRF should have it a little easier again this year - at least in terms of market share. With the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the Summer Olympics in Rio, the European Football Championships in France, and the Schwing- und Älplerfest in Estavayer-le-Lac, there are several major events on the schedule. One of the numerous thematic focuses this year is dedicated to a fictitious eight-day power blackout in Switzerland. In a documentary entitled "Blackout Switzerland", SRF traces the drastic consequences such a power blackout would have. Within a few days, the country would be transformed into a lawless space in which not even the water and food supply would function.
Ruedi Matter, Director SRF, at the annual media conference (Image: SRF)
