SRF Director Ruedi Matter steps down - successor to be appointed at the end of 2018
SRF Director Ruedi Matter is leaving SRG. The succession process will begin in April. The selection of the new SRF director is scheduled for late 2018. At the request of Gilles Marchand, Director Ruedi Matter will continue to lead SRF until his or her successor takes over the position.
The search for a successor to Ruedi Matter, Director of Swiss Radio and Television (SRF), will therefore begin in April. The Regional Board of SRG Deutschschweiz (SRG.D) is responsible for the succession process in consultation with Director General Gilles Marchand. The Regional Board will advertise the position externally and, once the selection process has been completed, nominate a candidate and recommend him or her to the SRG Board of Directors for election. This process should be completed by the end of the year.
At the request of SRG Director General Gilles Marchand, SRF Director Ruedi Matter agreed at Thursday's meeting to continue in his role beyond his retirement in October until a successor has been found and a new Director is available.
Ruedi Matter has headed SRF since the merger of Schweizer Radio DRS and Schweizer Fernsehen in 2011. In the more than seven years he has been in charge, SRF has changed a great deal, constantly evolving in all areas and adapting to new audience needs.
SRG Director General Gilles Marchand: "Ruedi Matter has successfully implemented far-reaching and important reforms for SRF and introduced convergence in radio and television. SRF's programs are doing very well, as the latest figures show, so I am very grateful to Ruedi for agreeing to continue in his role until a successor has been found. For the prudent planning of the SRG reform steps up to June and the rapid start of implementation in the second half of 2018, it is of great importance that the management of SRG's largest business unit is fully capable of acting without interruption."
Ruedi Matter: "I am happy that our programs have been so successful, especially our online innovations for a young audience. SRF has also demonstrated its innovative strength with its entry into the production of fictional series such as "Der Bestatter" and later "Wilder". It was particularly important for me that we coped so well with the challenges surrounding the vote on March 4."
Ruedi Matter began his career as a journalist as editor of the Basler National Newspaper. After holding various positions at Swiss television, McKinsey & Co, Ringier and the news channel n-tv, he became editor-in-chief of Swiss Radio DRS in 2006.
