Schawinski not happy about sale of Radio 24 to Wanner
Roger Schawinski, the founder of Radio 24, is not pleased with Tamedia's sale of Radio 24 to Aargau-based publisher Peter Wanner. Schawinski himself had submitted a bid for Radio 24.
With the purchase, Wanner is further expanding its dominant market position in Aargau, Schawinski told the SDA news agency on Monday. In doing so, Wanner is putting the license for Radio Argovia at risk, said Schwainski.
The radio pioneer competed against Wanner's Radio Argovia with Radio AG in 2008, but came away empty-handed. Schawinski suffered the same fate in south-eastern Switzerland. However, he lodged an appeal with the Federal Administrative Court against the award of the license by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). In December 2009, the court ruled in his favor and that the Uvek would have to go back to the drawing board. The only question to be examined is whether the licensees jeopardize freedom of expression and freedom of choice. Following the purchase of Radio 24, Schawinski is hoping for a decision in his favor.
Wanner had always argued that he did not have a dominant market position because the Zurich radio stations, and in particular market leader Radio 24, were strong competitors. With the planned purchase, Wanner's earlier argument is now being turned against him, according to Schawinski. (SDA)
