Natalie Wappler to leave SRG at the end of April 2026

Until her departure from SRG, she will continue to press ahead with the ongoing cost-cutting and transformation projects, remain fully committed to the political process surrounding the halving initiative and the implementation of the new "Enavant SRG SSR" organizational model, and ensure an optimal handover to her successor.

Nathalie Wappler has shaped the further development of Swiss Radio and Television over the past six and a half years as Director - under increasingly challenging financial and political conditions. Under her leadership, SRF has transformed itself and set the course for the digital future with a new corporate strategy.

Among other things, Nathalie Wappler has established a modern organizational structure geared towards digital media use, numerous digital formats and new job profiles and skills in the public media company. This transformation enables SRF to react more quickly to changing market and technological developments as well as audience needs.

Political decisions, combined with a significant reduction in the financial framework and rapidly advancing developments in the media market, made a reduction in jobs and program offerings unavoidable. The SRF Director has implemented these measures carefully and with a great sense of responsibility. She leaves behind a strong SRF company that is well equipped for the challenges ahead.

Susanne Wille, CEO of SRG: "Nathalie Wappler has consistently thought ahead and brought SRF forward. She has strategically repositioned SRF as a leader in times of digitalization and rapid technological change with entrepreneurial foresight. I very much regret her decision to leave SRF. We have worked closely and very well together in key areas. I would like to thank Nathalie warmly for everything she has achieved at SRG, at SRF and for the people of our country in the area of conflict between audience expectations, financial pressure and politics."

Jean-Michel Cina, Chairman of the SRG Board of Directors: "The departure of Nathalie Wappler is a great loss for SRG. As Director of the largest business unit in German-speaking Switzerland, she initiated and implemented decisive changes and also took unpopular but necessary cost-cutting and reorganization decisions. Nathalie Wappler has always led the way and intensively promoted talent. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Thank you very much for almost 20 years of convincing commitment to our public media company SRG."

Nathalie Wappler, Director of SRF: "Working for our public media company was a great privilege for me; I was passionate about working for a strong public media service of today and tomorrow - and for an attractive program that our audience appreciates. At the age of 58, I want to start a new chapter in my career. Until my departure, I will continue to support SRG and the ongoing entrepreneurial transformation to the best of my ability, to accompany the political challenges with commitment and to ensure an optimal handover to new forces. With Susanne Wille as Director General, SRG is in good hands."

Nathalie Wappler's SRG and SRF career began over 20 years ago. From 2005, she initially worked as an editor at "Kulturplatz", three years later she became editorial director of "Sternstunden" and in 2011 she finally took over as head of the culture department at SRF. In this role, she brought together the television, radio and online editorial teams, modernized SRF 2 Kultur radio and developed new film and series strategies. In 2016, Nathalie Wappler moved to MDR in Germany as Program Director. In March 2019, SRG was able to win her back as SRF Director and subsequently also as Deputy SRG Director General.

Nathalie Wappler will retain her functions at SRF and SRG until the end of April 2026 and will continue to drive forward the ongoing savings and transformation projects. She will also be fully involved in the political processes surrounding the halving initiative and the next steps of "Enavant SRG SSR".

The search for Nathalie Wappler's successor will be led by the SRG German-speaking Switzerland Regional Board. The choice will be made by the SRG Board of Directors. SRG will provide information about the process in due course.