Tele Züri and Radio Energy: Reactions to the licensing decision
The two Zurich-area broadcasters that lost out—Tele Züri and Radio Energy—have reacted with bewilderment to the negative licensing decision. What does the future hold for these two private broadcasters?
Tele Zurich is examining both an appeal against the decision and the chances of broadcasting without a license, according to a press release from Tamedia. Without a license, Tele Züri would no longer be bound to a broadcasting area specified by the federal government and would be able to expand its broadcasting area. According to Tamedia spokesperson Christoph Zimmer, the Zurich-based broadcaster is in talks with around 20 cable network providers in the greater Zurich area. Cablecom has already guaranteed Tele Züri a place in the analog network. However, it is still unclear which one. According to Christoph Zimmer, however, they are not satisfied with a double-digit slot.
The future broadcasting area has not yet been defined. However, the cantons of Zurich, Schaffhausen, Glarus, northern central Switzerland and eastern Aargau are included in the reception area. Tele Züri plans to expand to all regions with close economic and social ties to Zurich.
The situation is different for Radio Energy out. The private radio station has already decided to appeal to the Federal Administrative Court. The radio station, in which Ringier Switzerland holds a stake of around 51%, is also commissioning an expert opinion on a possible fourth frequency in the greater Zurich area. The radio station is receiving support from politicians: FDP National Councillor Filippo Leutenegger and his non-partisan "Campaign for Media Freedom" are backing the station's plans. SVP National Councillor Natalie Rickli also backs the station. If necessary, DRS3 could also be switched off in Zurich, as state radio does nothing that a private broadcaster cannot do, Rickli told Sonntagsblick. The SP will also submit an urgent postulate on Monday that obliges the cantonal government to campaign at federal level for a fourth FM frequency in the greater Zurich area.
Marc Walder, Managing Director of Ringier Switzerland, has to put up with two accusations in particular: Radio Energy had made a tactical error by only applying for the large Zurich license area and not for the small one. In addition, the station's information service was inadequate. Walder defends himself against such accusations. He told the NZZ am Sonntag that it had been clear for the commercially most successful radio station with 220,000 listeners per day to only apply for the large area. The information on Radio Energy is "target group-oriented"; the young audience is provided with short news items.
According to Walder, a future as a "pirate radio station" is also conceivable. Walder told the Sonntagszeitung newspaper that the possibility of Energy Zurich being fed into Switzerland from France is being examined. The NRJ Group, which owns the remaining Energy Zurich shares, is based in France.
