Council of States says yes to FM - regional radio stations receive planning security
The Association of Swiss Private Radio Stations welcomes Parliament’s final decision to continue FM broadcasting. Following massive losses in listeners for SRG programs after the FM shutdown, the Council of States took into account the economic consequences and the insufficient level of equipment in vehicles.
The Swiss Private Radio Association (VSP) is pleased about the final decision to continue FM. At the same time, it is relieved that regional radio stations will be spared unnecessarily high losses in listeners and advertising and that the population will have more time to convert radio sets from analog to digital.
Following the decision of the Council of States, both chambers have now approved the motion to continue FM broadcasting. This obliges the Federal Council to ensure FM coverage beyond 2026 and to extend or retender the corresponding radio licenses.
Massive drop in audience figures for SRG programs
The VSP is delighted that politicians have taken the latest developments following the SRG's FM switch-off seriously and have taken on board the key concerns of regional radio stations. Since the switch-off, SRG stations have recorded a massive drop in listenership of up to 49%. In addition, over 100,000 listeners have switched to foreign FM stations.
Economic consequences taken into account
The VSP is also pleased that the Council of States has taken the economic consequences into account: A comparable decline in the number of listeners would have meant advertising losses in the double-digit millions for private providers and thus created existential risks. The extension also takes into account the still inadequate level of equipment in vehicles. 1.7 million cars in Switzerland still have an FM radio. As a conversion is in practice almost exclusively carried out by purchasing a new car, the population will now have more time for the technological transition.
Investing in the digital future
Regional radio stations continue to clearly support the digital radio future and are already investing significantly more financial resources in DAB+ than in FM. At the same time, however, a realistic transition phase is needed that takes into account technical conditions, user behavior and economic stability. The parliamentary decision that has now been taken provides the necessary planning security for the radio industry and the population.
