SRF recorded outstanding audience figures across all channels in 2025. The TV channels SRF 1, SRF zwei and SRF info achieved a market share of 33.4% - the second-highest figure since the measurement changeover in 2013. Between 7 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., the evening broadcasting time with the largest audience, SRF's TV channels even reached a new high with a market share of 42.1%. SRF is also the market leader among the younger target group of 15 to 29-year-olds, with a market share of 31.4 percent for the whole day and 36.4 percent for the main evening. Overall, SRF's TV program reached an average of 3.6 million people per week, or almost two thirds of the Swiss-German population who watch television.
Landslide and US tariffs move Switzerland
The most-watched information program of the year, with an average of 878,000 viewers, was the main edition of "Tagesschau" on 28 May 2025, when a devastating landslide occurred in Blatten VS. "Schweiz aktuell" and "10 vor 10" also achieved above-average ratings on that Wednesday, with an average of 499,000 and 446,000 viewers respectively. The natural disaster had a strong impact on all channels in the days before and after. The live tickers on srf.ch and in the SRF News app, which ran from May 20, 2025, were viewed over 4.6 million times in total. The video recordings of the landslide achieved a total of almost 1.3 million starts on the SRF online platforms.
Over the year as a whole, an average of 577,000 people watched the main edition of "Tagesschau". The market share of 53.0% corresponds to the highest value outside of the pandemic years 2020 and 2021, when the population's need for information was above average. With around 607,000 daily visits, the SRF News app achieved a new record since the measurement changeover in 2020. The high usage figures reflect the eventful year, in which the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, the death of Pope Francis and the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine were among the topics of interest. August 1, 2025, when the US announced tariffs of 39% on Swiss exports, was the day with the highest number of visits on the SRF News app in 2025, with almost 1 million visits.
Swiss ski stars and women's national team inspire
The men's downhill in Wengen on January 18, 2025 was the most popular broadcast of the year, with an average of 965,000 people watching the Swiss one-two victory by Marco Odermatt and Franjo von Allmen. The Lauberhorn downhill has not recorded higher viewing figures since 2015. The market share was 80.1 percent. Around three weeks later, von Allmen was crowned downhill world champion at the Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach. An average of 925,000 viewers tuned in to SRF zwei to follow the Bernese Oberlander. An average of 943,000 people watched the World Championship final of the Swiss men's national ice hockey team against the USA in Stockholm on May 25, 2025.
A particular highlight in 2025 was the UEFA Women's EURO in Switzerland. The dramatic final between England and Spain was watched by an average of 889,000 viewers, corresponding to a market share of 56.4%. The Swiss national team also generated a great deal of interest among the SRF audience with its performances. An average of 725,000 people watched the national team's four matches. The quarter-final against Spain set a new record for a women's national team match with an average of 817,000 viewers and a 61.6% market share.
The broadcast of the "Eidgenössisches Schwing- und Älplerfest" at the end of August 2025 also reached new heights. On average, 472,000 people watched the entire 15-hour live broadcast, which corresponds to a market share of 71.8%. This is the highest audience share for an ESAF since the measurement changeover in 2013. The livestream on the SRF online platforms was started around 2.3 million times over the two days, making it one of the most used of the year.
Eurovision Song Contest and Happy Day in focus
Another highlight of the SRF program was the "Eurovision Song Contest", which was held in Switzerland for the first time since 1989. With an average of 764,000 viewers and a market share of 58.2%, the broadcast of the final from Basel on May 17, 2025 achieved the highest figure of all ESC editions since the measurement changeover in 2013.
The year was also marked by a change of presenter for "Happy Day". Röbi Koller stepped down from the stage 37 years after his first TV appearance on SRF. His last "Happy Day" show on April 5, 2025 was watched by an average of 623,000 viewers, which corresponds to a market share of 45.4 percent. The first show with Koller's successor Nik Hartmann even reached an average of 713,000 people and a market share of 51.1 percent - the highest "Happy Day" market share since 2013.
The five episodes of the fifth season of "SRF bi de Lüt - Winterhüttengeschichten" reached an average of 632,000 viewers and a market share of 40.5 percent, the second-highest figure since its launch in 2021. "Donnschtig-Jass" also continues to enjoy great popularity: the 24 July 2025 edition in Klosters achieved the highest viewer ratings since 2017 with an average of 575,000 viewers. With an average of 575,000 viewers, the 24 July 2025 edition in Klosters achieved the highest viewing figures since 2017. Online, the new dating format "Alone Together" was particularly impressive: the six episodes of the first season achieved a total of around 650,000 starts on Play SRF. This makes it the most successful entertainment format on the SRF online platform to date.
Documentaries and series score points online
The most-watched "DOK" in 2025 was "Umbruch im Bergdorf - Von der Zukunft in den Alpen" on September 25, 2025. On average, 434,000 people watched the documentary, which corresponds to a market share of 35.5 percent. The program also achieved around 195,000 starts on Play SRF and YouTube. The "Impact" report on cocaine use in Switzerland also attracted interest on both platforms - it achieved a total of 675,000 stream starts. On YouTube, over 80 percent of all viewers were under the age of 45.
With over 1.3 million online views, the 16th season of "Auf und davon" was also convincing. Linear, the "DOK" series about Swiss emigrants reached an average of 670,000 viewers per episode and a market share of 42.6 percent. The "Puls" program about dementia among young people also attracted interest, with an average of 415,000 viewers and a market share of 31.8%.
Finally, the new "DOK" series on the Hotel Gstaad Palace as part of "Inside Gastro" caused quite a stir. The four episodes were streamed over 1.5 million times in total on the various online platforms. The first episode of the series alone achieved around 501,000 starts. The new SRF crime series "Maloney" was also frequently streamed online: the eleven cases of the thuggish private detective have so far achieved a total of 835,000 views on Play SRF.
Radio SRF remains market leader
46.5 percent is the market share of Radio SRF 1, Radio SRF 2 Kultur, Radio SRF 3, Radio SRF 4 News, Radio SRF Musikwelle and Radio SRF Virus in 2025. On weekdays between 06.00 and 09.00, the time of day with the highest number of listeners, on average half of all radio listeners in German-speaking Switzerland chose a station in the SRF radio family. Radio SRF 1 remains the market leader in German-speaking Switzerland with a market share of 23.1 percent. Around 58% tuned into an SRF radio station every week. The "Rendez-vous" edition at 12.30 p.m. reached an average of 418,000 listeners on weekdays, while the "Echo der Zeit" at 6 p.m. reached 234,000 listeners. This corresponds to a market share of 44.6 and 27.8 percent respectively. Due to the switch-off of FM frequencies by the SRG at the end of 2024, the use of SRF radio stations is lower than in previous years.
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Former Federal Councillor Kaspar Villiger held the laudatory speech for Sergio Ermotti. He praised Ermotti as a leader who had "convincingly led the complex integration of Credit Suisse into UBS". Villiger particularly emphasized Ermotti's leadership, which was based on trust, a sense of responsibility and a consistently practiced corporate culture, and highlighted his clear, ethical and reliable manner.
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti paid tribute to entrepreneur Walter Frey, who "revolutionized car imports in Switzerland" with his Emil Frey Group. Despite the size of the company with around 26,000 employees, it had remained a discreet family business. He described Frey as the "ideal embodiment of Swiss entrepreneurship and the militia principle: cosmopolitan and at the same time close to home".
In his acceptance speech, Walter Frey emphasized the strength of Switzerland as a business location: "Switzerland has a solid foundation." This is partly due to luck - but above all to the hard work of the people who have created a stable foundation for us. He was particularly optimistic about the next generation: "When I see our apprentices and what they achieve, I am convinced that Switzerland has a bright future."
Sergio Ermotti spoke about his personal drive. "For me, a glass is not half full - it's always full." With regard to speculation about a possible move to the chairmanship of the Board of Directors, he emphasized that his mission at UBS had not yet been fulfilled. "I'll finish my job first - only then will I think about a move."
Top-class jury
The award is decided by a jury of prominent representatives from Swiss business and politics, including former Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, Patrick Odier (Lombard Odier), Martin Naville, Bjørn Johansson, Barbara Rigassi-Schneeberger and Dirk Schütz (BILANZ). The companies' long-term performance, internal and external leadership, sustainable business practices and credibility in public appearances are assessed.
Around 100 leading personalities took part in the third Award Night. Previous winners include WEF founder Klaus Schwab, ABB Chairman of the Board of Directors Peter Voser, former Nestle Chairman of the Board Paul Bulcke and entrepreneur Peter Spuhler.
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What is the idea behind the campaign and was it developed internally or in collaboration with an agency?
The new Balance-The campaign presents the brand in a clear, concise and confident manner and refers to the journalistic depth, relevance and quality of the title. The main subjects stage the central value proposition from the user's perspective: access to the protagonists of the economy, knowledge that gets you ahead, as well as luxury and style. The campaign was developed in-house through close collaboration between the marketing and editorial teams and the agencies Kumpf & Co and Publicis/Prodigious. Lukas Maeder, one of Switzerland's most renowned photographers, is responsible for the photography and videography.
m&k: Maxilian Börke, who is the campaign aimed at and where will it be shown?
Maxilian Börke: The campaign is aimed at a discerning, business-minded target group who value orientation and attitude - and have a particular awareness of style and luxury. The campaign will be seen throughout German-speaking Switzerland. The focus is on video formats and digital placements that bring the new brand presence to life. Visually strong subjects on social media, business platforms and in high-quality environments complement the campaign. It is also prominently displayed on digital out-of-home spaces in Zurich, Zug, Basel and Bern, as well as at Zurich Airport.
The subjects refer to the relaunch of Balance.ch. What's new about the digital presence and how does the site differ from the print magazine?
With the relaunch of Balance.ch we want to use the strengths of the Balance digitally as well. The redesigned platform offers daily updates, inspiration, longreads, rankings and selected content from our partner brands such as Handelszeitung, Bolero, Bonanza, Homes and Millionär. This package of exclusive analyses, in-depth research and carefully curated lifestyle content forms a strong offering for current and future decision-makers.
Can you explain some of the key features of the new brand campaign and how they contribute to the Balancemagazine to the decision-makers in the business world?
The focus is on a minimalist, modern look with Balance sheetRed as the dominant brand color - a clear visual signal for self-confidence and recognizability. The campaign relies on moving, cinematic video sequences that dynamically stage the brand world and make the new appearance a digital experience. Supported by precise typography and minimalist design, the result is a high-quality, contemporary image. This is how we position Balance as the premium business title in Switzerland for people who lead, shape and look for the background behind the headlines.
The campaign also promotes the luxury and lifestyle expertise of the Balance. What specific advantages does Balance.ch for B2B clients, especially in terms of access to exclusive business information and in-depth analysis of leadership and luxury brands?
Balance.ch offers a unique combination of economic substance and stylistic expertise. This creates a particularly attractive environment for B2B customers: they reach a high-caliber target group with decision-making and purchasing power - people who shape companies, invest and live brand awareness. In addition to in-depth analyses and leadership content Balance a strong luxury and lifestyle expertise, such as in the format Balance Watches. This creates Balance.ch an environment that intelligently combines premium brands, leadership topics and economic depth and gives advertising partners access to an exclusive, content-rich audience.
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For almost five decades, Bilanz has stood for in-depth analyses, investigative research and portraits of leading personalities from business and society. With the relaunch of balance.ch the editorial team is now consistently transferring this claim to the digital space. The new website offers up-to-the-minute content, longreads and background reports - supplemented by articles from the sister titles Handelszeitung, Bolero, Homes and Millionär.
Focus on added value and brand profile
The digital relaunch is accompanied by a nationwide campaign with posters, city screens and online ads in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Lucerne and Zug. Three motifs and video clips form the core of the communication: they emphasize the brand's information advantage, analytical depth and lifestyle expertise.
According to Maximilian Börke, Head of Marketing at Ringier Media Switzerland, the campaign presents "the BILANZ brand in a high-quality, clear and modern way" and makes visible "how the editorial team uses its exclusive access to decision-makers across all channels".
More depth, more frequency, more exchange
Bilanz is also broadening its perspective in terms of content. In addition to familiar formats such as the annual ranking of the 300 richest Swiss, bilanz.ch is creating a multimedia special with interactive elements and in-depth analyses.
With new themed sections, including "Bilnz Watches" for watch and luxury enthusiasts, the editorial team is increasingly focusing on content diversity and community building.
Editor-in-chief Dirk Schütz emphasizes the aim of conveying economic life "not just through data and figures, but through gripping stories and relevant background information". The new digital platform is intended to extend the magazine's rhythm - from monthly issues to continuous, multimedia business reporting.
The new online presence is now available at balance.ch available.
Balance is planning a comprehensive digital relaunch: from mid-2025, the business magazine will have its own online platform in addition to the print edition. Exclusive business stories, rankings and background reports will appear on Bilanz.ch in future. In terms of content, the website will focus on well-known focal points such as the great personalities of the Swiss economy, luxury topics and the "300 Richest" list.
The Handelszeitung is adjusting its publication frequency and will now be published every two weeks from March 20, 2025. The print and e-paper edition will have an expanded scope and focus even more on the background of the national financial industry. According to Editor-in-Chief Markus Diem Meier, the new frequency will allow economic developments to be analyzed in greater depth. The change will be accompanied by a revised layout and savings in production, printing and distribution.
There are also changes at HZ Insurance, the digital platform for the insurance industry: Andrea Hohendahl is taking over as editor-in-chief from Karin Bosshard, who is leaving the company. Hohendahl was previously at NZZ, the View and the Weltwoche active. At the same time, Vertical HZ Banking will be discontinued. As part of the realignment, three jobs will be cut at Ringier Media Switzerland.
According to Chief Content Officer Steffi Buchli, Ringier Media Switzerland wants to focus strategically with these measures: "With Balance, Handelszeitung, Cash and View With RMS, we are the strong force in Swiss business journalism."
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The business media include Bilanz, Handelszeitung, Schweizer Bank, Schweizer Versicherung and the corresponding digital offerings. According to the press release, Nina Ranke has proven expertise in the media business. She has held various positions at Axel Springer and Axel Springer International since 2011 - most recently as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and before that Director International Operations at Axel Springer International in Zurich. Originally, she was responsible for Axel Springer's global licensing business and headed the Advertising and Agency Coordination division at Axel Springer Media Impact.
Ranke holds a doctorate in law from Humboldt University Berlin with a focus on antitrust law, press law and copyright law. She will assume her new role as Head of Business Media at Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland as of March 1, 2018, reporting directly to Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland CEO Ralph Büchi.
Uli Rubner, previously Head of Business Media, had held this position on a mandate basis since 2016. Under her leadership, the business editorial teams were successfully merged and the brand profile of the individual business titles was sharpened, including the launch of the new monthly Bilanz and the new digital offerings of Bilanz and Handelszeitung. As of March 1, 2018, Uli Rubner will take over the management of Homes. In addition to high-quality housing reports, the magazine also covers the topics of "smart homes" and the Swiss real estate market. Homes is published twice a year as a supplement to Bilanz and Handelszeitung.
Ralph Büchi: "In 2017, we set new standards with our business reporting offering and further optimized and expanded the digital offering in particular. Uli Rubner played a leading role here and set the business media division on course for the future. I would like to thank her sincerely for her great commitment and am delighted that she will remain with us in her new responsibility for Homes magazine. In Nina Ranke, we have found an excellent successor to head up the Business Media division. I am convinced that she will take advantage of the growth opportunities available to our strong business brands."
Felice Bruno's illustrations are sometimes found as realistic, sometimes as reduced drawings, colored or monochrome, analog or digital, three-dimensional or two-dimensional. They complement content and themes as needed, sometimes critically, sometimes wittily, informatively, didactically. Always anxious, he says about himself, to implement customer wishes independently.
In addition to classic illustrations, Bruno Felice has participated here, for example, in an advertising spot for health care professions.
Customer: OdA Gesundheit Bern; Client: Element P Gmbh / the film agency; Figures: FBI Felice Bruno Illustration.
Felice Bruno has many years of experience in illustrating a wide variety of subjects. His work for various Swiss print media such as Beobachter, Bilanz, Schweizer Familie, Handelszeitung, Saisonküche or Migusto and agencies such as Velvet, Farner Publicis, Spinas Gemperle, Baldinger & Baldinger, Nose as well as various institutions, organizations, service providers and publishers have enabled him to express himself using different techniques and media and to stand out stylistically: Editorial illustration, character design, hidden objects, food illustrations, object design.
You want to contact us? This is how you can reach Felice Bruno:
Maihofstrasse 101, 6006 Lucerne
+41 78 666 1963
[email protected]
Felicebruno.ch
@fbi_illustration
Readers of Bilanz can now purchase articles from the print edition individually on Bilanz.de and pay for them with just two clicks via their mobile phone bill. The business magazine is testing a model from Swiss provider SwissPay.ch that offers users two options for purchasing articles: Either the reader watches an approximately 15-second commercial or pays an amount starting at 0.99 euros. To process the payment, he only has to enter his cell phone number once, and the amount then simply appears on the next cell phone bill.
Klaus Boldt, Editor-in-Chief of Bilanz: "Until now, we have only distributed our magazine digitally as an e-paper. From now on, we are also providing access to individual articles from the current issue. And in a radically simple and user-friendly way."
The new approach is the latest addition to the wide range of payment models and monetization strategies in use at Axel Springer's brands. It applies only to articles in the print edition that are made available on Bilanz.de. "We expect a lot from this decidedly innovative system. But we will of course have to test it intensively in the coming months before we decide whether it meets our requirements and whether we will use it permanently," says Boldt. The online content produced exclusively for Bilanz.de, such as the columns and video sections by Bilanz contributors, will remain accessible unchanged.
The change in reader behavior and the increased focus on the digitization of the brand prompted the management of Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland to switch from biweekly to monthly publication, according to a statement. With this step, the balance is to develop even more in the direction of a premium magazine with a high usage period and higher pick-up values. The focus on exclusive background stories and in-depth research will be further strengthened. As a result, the size of the individual issues will be around a third larger, with a minimum of 110 pages, and will offer even more choice thanks to a more diverse mix of topics. And the layout of the magazine will also be refreshed as part of the new cycle. Dirk Schütz, Editor-in-Chief of Bilanz: "The new frequency will enable us to play to our editorial strengths even better. We will expand the mix of topics, offer even more exclusive stories and an even better look."
The change in frequency will be accompanied by a new supplement concept and a relaunch of Bilanz's digital offerings. Ralph Büchi, Delegate of the Board of Directors of Ringier Axel Springer Schweiz: "The new publication frequency allows the editorial team to re-focus its strengths and not only to further enhance the quality of the print edition, but also to drive forward the digitization of the strong Bilanz brand in an even more targeted manner. We are convinced that this will enable us to meet the expectations of today's readers even better."
Details on the new form of the print version and the online presence, subscription prices and the included subscription services will be communicated this fall. The editorial team is currently working on the development and implementation of the adjustments that will accompany the new publication rhythm.
The new issue of Bilanz has a new design, as announced in a press release on Thursday. The design is more concise, the fonts are stronger, and the magazine uses more lines and bars as well as variable columns on the pages. The new design was created by Bilanz art director Wernie Baumeler and his team. The modern design is intended to make the business stories more enjoyable to read. It looks more elegant and allows for more variation.
There have also been changes to the content: The magazine has been streamlined and new sections have been introduced. For example, each issue now features a business revolutionary who is changing a market, a business personality describes their wildest trip in the new Enjoy section, and former Raiffeisen CEO Pierin Vincenz is a new columnist for the business magazine. The magazine retains its tried-and-tested layout with the core sections Company, Trends and Invest.
Elmer has achieved an interim success in both lawsuits. This is the result of court rulings published by the defendant on Wednesday. In the personal injury proceedings against Weltwoche, the Zurich District Court ordered the weekly newspaper to provide evidence to support its allegations. The Press Council had already come to the conclusion in July 2012 that Weltwoche should have at least mentioned Elmer Dementi before calling him a "thief" and "blackmailer" (Werbewoche.ch reported). The text also failed to mention that the ex-banker denied the allegations.
Elmer has also scored a small success in the defamation proceedings against Bilanz: The High Court decided that the proceedings, which were suspended today, should be resumed. The Zurich District Court must therefore once again deal with Elmer's accusations against the business magazine, which had reported critically about him. In February 2011, the court ordered the proceedings against Bilanz to be suspended until a legally valid verdict against the ex-banker had been reached.
No legally binding judgment yet
There is still no legally valid verdict in the Rudolf Elmer case. In November 2011, the High Court refused to hand down a verdict on the grounds that the indictment was incomplete. It sent the case back to the public prosecutor's office and demanded additions.
In January 2011, the Zurich District Court sentenced Elmer to a conditional fine of 240 daily rates of CHF 30 each for threats, attempted coercion and violation of banking secrecy. Both Elmer and the public prosecutor's office appealed the sentence.
Elmer was dealt the next blow on the evening of his conviction: on his way home from the trial, he was arrested again and remanded in custody for six months. The reason for this was an internationally acclaimed media conference just a few days before the Zurich trial, at which Elmer handed over several CDs to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Elmer stated at the time that these CDs contained data on around 2,000 tax evaders. It later transpired that the CDs were empty.
The former managing director of the Julius Baer branch on the Cayman Islands considers himself a whistleblower because he leaked client data to cantonal and federal tax authorities on several occasions - in the hope that the account holders would be punished as tax fraudsters. However, the data was not used. Switzerland is said to have lost around CHF 100 million in tax revenue as a result. (SDA/uma)
Teaser image: Rudolfelmer.com
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