Schawinski shows interest in buying back Tele Züri
Broadcaster founder Roger Schawinski would buy back Tele Züri and operate it without a license if the TV station were threatened with closure. He sees advantages if the station could operate without a license. For Tamedia, however, the sale is "not an issue".
While Tamedia is worried about the new license for Tele Züri, founder Roger Schawinski himself has plans for his old station should it be threatened with closure: he would like to buy Tele Züri back from the Zurich media group and, if necessary, operate it without a license. Tamedia spokesman Christoph Zimmer confirmed to SDA a report by NZZ am Sonntag that the media pioneer had already expressed an interest in buying the station some time ago. Tamedia is facing negative comments from various executive authorities in the ongoing relicensing process. If the Swiss government follows these recommendations, does not grant the station a license and Tamedia therefore closes Tele Züri, Schawinski would be prepared to buy the TV station back.
Tamedia's competitor for radio licenses told the NZZ am Sonntag that, in his opinion, Tele Züri does not need a license at all: without the associated conditions, the broadcasting area could be expanded and regional windows in Schaffhausen and Thurgau would not have to be broadcast. Like many industry experts, he has no doubt that the channel would continue to be broadcast by cable network operators even without a "must carry" guarantee. "Without a license, Tele Züri has much more potential for development. I'm surprised that Tamedia doesn't see this," Schawinski told the NZZ am Sonntag.
For Tamedia, however, the sale of Tele Züri is "not an issue", Zimmer told SDA. Pietro Supino, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tamedia, doubled down in a communiqué sent out on Sunday evening: "Tele Züri is not for sale!". Supino made a special appearance on the "Züri News" program and confirmed that the company still believes in the TV station as well as Radio 24. He was convinced that both Radio 24 and Tele Züri would be successful in the awarding of concessions. Should Tele Züri nevertheless come away empty-handed, Supino went on to explain that "all scenarios will be examined" as to how the successful TV station could be continued without a license.
Tamedia's competitor for radio licenses told the NZZ am Sonntag that, in his opinion, Tele Züri does not need a license at all: without the associated conditions, the broadcasting area could be expanded and regional windows in Schaffhausen and Thurgau would not have to be broadcast. Like many industry experts, he has no doubt that the channel would continue to be broadcast by cable network operators even without a "must carry" guarantee. "Without a license, Tele Züri has much more potential for development. I'm surprised that Tamedia doesn't see this," Schawinski told the NZZ am Sonntag.
For Tamedia, however, the sale of Tele Züri is "not an issue", Zimmer told SDA. Pietro Supino, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tamedia, doubled down in a communiqué sent out on Sunday evening: "Tele Züri is not for sale!". Supino made a special appearance on the "Züri News" program and confirmed that the company still believes in the TV station as well as Radio 24. He was convinced that both Radio 24 and Tele Züri would be successful in the awarding of concessions. Should Tele Züri nevertheless come away empty-handed, Supino went on to explain that "all scenarios will be examined" as to how the successful TV station could be continued without a license.
