DRS 1 overturns popular music in favor of information
The Swiss radio station DRS 1 is moving its folk music programming to the Musigwälle channel and, in return, will expand its news and current affairs programming and air more radio plays starting next year.
Swiss radio station DRS 1 is banning popular music from its program. Instead, the station will be strengthening its information and background programs in the coming year and will be broadcasting more radio plays. From February 2008, popular music will be heard exclusively on the DRS Musigwälle channel, as announced by Swiss Radio DRS officials on Wednesday, according to SDA. This affects programs such as "Gratulations" and "Fiirabigmusig". They will be moved from DRS 1 to Musigwälle, which can only be received via DAB and cable. In return, the makers of DRS 1 are extending the "Espresso" program, and the news program "Heute Morgen" will no longer only be broadcast on weekdays, but now also on Saturday mornings.
Because various programs are being moved to the DRS Musigwälle, there are also other changes in the program grid of the first station: The new program
"Treffpunkt Leben" will focus on social issues in the morning, an audio book magazine will be introduced on Monday evenings and the children's program will be extended by half an hour. With the new program elements, Radio DRS wants to emphasize the strengths of DRS 1 and the medium of radio in general, as Christoph Gebel, program director of the station, told SDA.
"Today, radio must differentiate itself from customizable offerings on the Internet through content and its live character." Radio Director Walter Rüegg placed the relocation of the vocal programs to DRS Musigwälle in a larger context: it is important to clearly position the future six programs of Radio DRS in the market. At the request of SDA, Hanspeter Gautschin, Managing Director of IG Volkskultur, criticized the new broadcasting slot for folk music. He is of the opinion that folk music is losing weight with the shift to DRS Musigwälle. Gautschin criticized in particular the current music profile of DRS Musigwälle. Today, it focuses on popular hits, which have little to do with folk music.
Because various programs are being moved to the DRS Musigwälle, there are also other changes in the program grid of the first station: The new program
"Treffpunkt Leben" will focus on social issues in the morning, an audio book magazine will be introduced on Monday evenings and the children's program will be extended by half an hour. With the new program elements, Radio DRS wants to emphasize the strengths of DRS 1 and the medium of radio in general, as Christoph Gebel, program director of the station, told SDA.
"Today, radio must differentiate itself from customizable offerings on the Internet through content and its live character." Radio Director Walter Rüegg placed the relocation of the vocal programs to DRS Musigwälle in a larger context: it is important to clearly position the future six programs of Radio DRS in the market. At the request of SDA, Hanspeter Gautschin, Managing Director of IG Volkskultur, criticized the new broadcasting slot for folk music. He is of the opinion that folk music is losing weight with the shift to DRS Musigwälle. Gautschin criticized in particular the current music profile of DRS Musigwälle. Today, it focuses on popular hits, which have little to do with folk music.
