SVP election campaign song conquers the charts
"Welcome to SVP" enters the hit parade at number six. However, the song is still not played on the SRF hit parade show. At least not in full length.
After the widespread media coverage and the prominently placed download requests (e.g. in 20 Minuten), it is hardly surprising that the DJ Antoine knock-off "Welcome to SVP", produced by National Councillor Thomas Matter ("DJ Thommy"), appears in the official Swiss hit parade. It reached sixth place, as the NZZ am Sonntag knows. Incidentally, the SVP's direct sales are not taken into account, otherwise it would probably have achieved a much higher position. The song has caused quite a stir, especially thanks to the self-ironic, provocative music video. The clip has been viewed around 370,000 times on YouTube so far.
The SVP's entry into the charts has triggered lively discussions at SRF. The song may not be played in the normal program as it is prohibited political advertising. The situation is somewhat different in the official hit parade program on Sunday afternoons. There, whatever has been sold should actually be played - regardless of which song it is. The question apparently triggered lengthy investigations at SRF, which reached all the way up to the editor-in-chief. The result: the election advertising song will not be played in full length in the hit parade program and "not without editorial embedding", as a spokeswoman announced on Saturday. The song will only be played to "convey an auditory impression".
Thomas Matter finds this approach "scandalous". After all, nobody was bothered by the song "Fuck Blocher" by Stress a few years ago. The SVP song, on the other hand, which is neutral in content, is now being punished. (hae)
