New transmitters switched on
The SRG reshuffle in mid-November leads to free program slots and a new distribution. In addition, new transmitters from the broadcasting network operator Swiss Media Cast will be switched on at the beginning of December.
The SRG program change in the DAB+ sector also affects Swiss Media Cast (SMC), the operator of the broadcasting network for the digital radio standard DAB+ for private radio stations.
At the end of October, SRG announced the nationwide expansion of DAB+. Since Tuesday, the SRG's third radio stations and the three regional private radio stations have been broadcasting almost nationwide on DAB+.
"The SRG broadcaster castling gives us free capacity on all layers, which enables the inclusion of new programs. The gradual replacement of analog FM broadcasting with DAB+ planned for 2020 will lead to better network coverage. SMC's infrastructure is also being continuously improved and expanded, with numerous new transmitters being switched on at the beginning of December," explained Rolf Schurter, Managing Director of SMC.
The SRG changes will lead to free program slots on the regional language layer D02. In addition, the change of regional journals on layer D03 will result in a new distribution. Changes:
- Only Rete 3 is still broadcast on the regional language layer D02.
- The four SRG stations Option Musique, Couleur 3, Swiss Classic and Swiss Jazz will be broadcast on the regional layers D03 Nordschweiz, Ostschweiz Bern-Freiburg and Oberwallis. - Radio Zürisee is moving from layer D03 to layer D02. Radio Zürisee listeners will therefore have to carry out a new station search.
- One new channel is expected to go on air on layer D02, and six new channels are expected to go on air on layer D03 in the regions of Northern Switzerland, Eastern Switzerland and Bern-Freiburg.
- Radio Südostschweiz will be broadcast on layer D03 Region Nordschweiz from November 15/16, 2016.
SwissMediaCast is planning to switch on the following new transmitters on December 1, 2016 as the first stage of a denser network expansion, particularly in the Baselland, Bernese Oberland, Valais and Eastern Switzerland regions:
Layer D02 German-speaking Switzerland: Brienz, Rugen - Interlaken, Steg (Tösstal)
Layer D03 Northern Switzerland: Attinghausen
Layer D03 Eastern Switzerland: Frauenfeld, Ottenberg, Schaffhausen, Sirnach, Wattwil
Layer D03 Bern-Freiburg: Brienz, Rugen - Interlaken
