Growth was particularly strong at several regional stations. Sunshine Radio increased its reach by 34%, Radio FM1 by 24% and Radio 32 by 21%. The Group's flagship stations also made gains: Radio Pilatus gained 14 percent and Radio 24 around 12 percent more listeners. The CH Media radio group is thus continuing its growth course and reaching a new record in its history.
The trend in the digital sector is also pointing upwards. Virgin Radio set a new record with 132,000 daily listeners - an increase of 12%. The digital station Flashback FM even increased its reach by 50% and now reaches 114,000 people per day.
"These results underline the strong position of our radio stations in the Swiss market and confirm the effectiveness of our strategy in an increasingly digital environment," says Nicola Bomio, Head of Radio at CH Media. The constantly growing reach not only increases the relevance of the stations, but also their attractiveness for advertising customers, Bomio continues.
The current figures are based on Mediapulse Radio Data for the third quarter of 2025 (German-speaking Switzerland, 15+, Mon-Fri, 24 hours). They show that CH Media Radio remains a key player in the Swiss audio market - both analog and digital.
]]>
Since this week, "Switzerland's rock station" has been positioning itself with an image campaign. The US rock band Imagine Dragons has been won as a testimonial. The band graces the campaign subjects and can be heard and seen in the radio, TV and cinema spots. The spots feature their hits "Follow You" and "Radioactive," with which the band made their breakthrough ten years ago. Also the new claim of Virgin Radio Switzerland "Classic rock and the best current rock hits".
The campaign will be audible and visible until September 11, 2022, and includes radio, TV and cinema spots, an OOH campaign with gas stations and VBZ Züri-Tram roof branding, display ads, social media and Spotify ads, and print ads.
Responsible at CH Media: Denise Hildbrand (Head of Marketing & PR Entertainment), Laura Ballestrin (Head of Marketing TV Regional & Radio), Jasmine Wasmer (Marketing & Brand Manager), Vanessa Trieb (Polygrapher), Lotta Rübsaamen (Digital Marketing Manager), Raul Steffer (Executive Producer Grips).
]]>
The 33-year-old Finn Rasmussen already has many years of radio and moderation experience. His radio career started in 2012 at Radio X, first as presenter of the daytime program and later additionally as program coordinator. In 2014, Rasmussen was drawn to Radio Basilisk in his hometown of Basel, where he was producer of the morning show as well as a presenter. Since April 1, Finn Rasmussen has been in charge of programming for Virgin Radio Switzerland and Flashback FM in CH Media's radio group.
In addition, Finn Rasmussen will host Virgin Radio Switzerland's new afternoon show "Homerun" every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. starting April 19. The focus of the show will be on music: In addition to classic rock, the best current rock hits will be played. In the first few weeks, the presenter will also be giving away tickets to the Swiss concert of Metallica and playing "Virgin Radio Stripped Back" with the listeners: Whoever recognizes a rock song only by an instrument track, such as the bass or drums, wins.
Virgin Radio Rock becomes Virgin Radio Switzerland
After the latest CH-Media radio station addition Flashback FM has been heard on the former DAB+ broadcasting slot of Virgin Radio since February, the other Virgin station now presents itself in a slightly adapted look. The content remains true to the rock genre, with a new focus on classic rock and the best current rock hits. In addition, Virgin Radio Rock is now called Virgin Radio Switzerland.
]]>
Tina Umbricht , the singer from Aargau with Thai roots, made it into the Top 25 of the German casting format "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" in 2015. Five years later, in spring 2020, the singer competed on "The Voice of Switzerland". On the music show, the singing talent made it through to the battle rounds. Now the 22-year-old is venturing into the world of presenting.
A fresh breeze in the morning show
In recent months, 20-year-old Younes Saggara from Bern has hosted the morning show, first as a side-kick to Dara Masi and later on his own. Tina Umbricht will support him from January 18, 2021.
A total of more than 1.24 million listeners tune in daily to the CH Media stations Radio 24, Radio 32, Radio Pilatus, Radio FM1, Radio Argovia, Virgin Radio Rock Switzerland, Virgin Radio Hits Switzerland and Radio Melody. CH Media's eight radio stations thus continue to expand their position at the top of the radio group with the highest reach in Switzerland.
Among the DAB+/IP stations, the two stations Virgin Radio Rock Switzerland and Virgin Radio Hits Switzerland in particular increased their reach compared to the first half of 2019. The digital platforms of the regional stations recorded a total of 860,000 unique clients in November.
The Energy Group's stations Energy Zürich, Energy Bern, Energy Basel, Vintage Radio, Energy Hits, Rockit Radio and Luna reached a total of 721,000 listeners.
On the last Wednesday of every month, a Swiss musician hosts the "Virgin Take Over" show on Virgin Radio Hits Switzerland between 7:00 and 8:00 pm. Here, the musicians have a free hand to shape the show according to their own taste and play their favorite songs.
The idea of a takeover was well received by Swiss musicians - including musician Bligg - according to a statement. On May 30, the Zurich native will take over the first "Virgin Take Over" show. The show will air between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Virgin Radio Hits.
For Bligg, it's his first time as a presenter: "I'm insanely nervous, but I'm looking forward to trying something new." Florian Wanner, Managing Director Radio at AZ Medien, is also looking forward to the new show with the stars: "For once, radio is in the hands of the artists. I'm looking forward to this new format and especially to offering artists another platform on the radio." Big names are already being discussed for the second broadcast on Wednesday, June 27, the statement continues.
Managing Director Radio will remain Florian Wanner, who will continue to report to Roger Elsener, Managing Director AZ Medien | TV & Radio. According to the press release, the parties have agreed not to disclose the contents of the contract. Back in January 2016, it was decided to strategically tie Radio Argovia and Radio 24 closer to AZ Medien and to integrate them organizationally in 2017. At the same time, a joint strategy process was initiated. The two local radio stations Radio Argovia, Radio 24 and Virgin Radio Switzerland with the two stations Virgin Radio Rock and Virgin Radio Hits will now also be legally transferred to AZ Medien with retroactive effect from January 1, 2018.
Jessica Francis takes up her position as "Head of Online Radio" on June 1. In the newly created position, she has editorial responsibility for all digital channels, is responsible for their further development and leads the online and social media team of the radios. This includes the websites of Radio 24, Radio Argovia and Virgin Radio Switzerland.
With the addition of this position to the management team, the company will consistently focus on expanding its digital reach, AZ Medien writes in a statement. "I am very much looking forward to working with Jessica. She brings a lot of experience and dynamism with her and with her open-minded manner she is an enrichment for the management," says Florian Wanner, Managing Director Radio.
The 31-year-old has been at home in the media industry for ten years. She earned her master's degree in "New Media Journalism" in Leipzig and has worked in various digital functions for SRG in recent years. Most recently as Deputy Head of Online Programs at Radio SRF 1.
Cymatic visuals - musical sound waves that form particles into symmetrical patterns - were used to design and realize various static and moving advertising materials. In addition to posters and advertisements, these include a clip for cinema, TV and web as well as various online advertising materials.
Responsible at Virgin Radio Switzerland : Florian Wanner (Managing Director Radio), Barbara Novak (Head of Marketing Radio), Nicola Bomio (Head of Programming Radio). Responsible at Klar: Marcel Benz (Strategy/Consulting), Lionel Büttner, Peter Trüb, Manuel Griestock (Creation) Emmi Lichtenhahn (Music Composition), Pascal Hofer (Motion Design)
Virgin Radio Hits Switzerland addresses the young audience with a progressive music program and plays exclusively the latest hits. From Monday to Friday Virgin Radio Hits Switzerland Dara Masi wakes up German-speaking Switzerland every day from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. with her unusual "Virgin Radio Wake-Up Show. The 24-year-old was previously a morning show host at Radio Argovia and will switch to Virgin Radio Switzerland.
Virgin Radio Rock Switzerland serves listeners around the clock with the best rock music of today and the last decades. With the Virgin Radio Rock Drivetime Show between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m., listeners will be accompanied into the evening from Monday to Thursday. And starting in mid-January, a radio legend will return to the microphone every Friday: longtime SRF3 presenter Peter Walt will provide Virgin Radio Rock the Weekend for the most rocking start to the weekend.
"In Peter Walt, we were able to secure an incredibly experienced presenter for Virgin Radio Rock Switzerland win. His in-depth knowledge of music is exactly in line with our positioning as a music broadcaster," says Florian Wanner, Managing Director of Virgin Radio Switzerland.
Peter Walt will host "Virgin Radio Rock the Weekend."
Raoul Hüppi also joins the company as program planner. Virgin Radio Switzerland. The 29-year-old was most recently with Radio Top as a music editor and presenter and is active at Virgin Radio Switzerland responsible for program planning at both stations.
Station voices for Virgin Radio Switzerland will be, among others, the actress and singer Fabienne Louves and the two radio professionals Sabine Renz and Christian Stoob.
AZ Medien secures the brand license to "Virgin Radio" for Switzerland. The two radio stations will be launched in the first quarter of 2018 at the latest and will be heard throughout German-speaking Switzerland on DAB+ and IP streaming platforms. In terms of programming, the two stations will have a different focus and address different target groups.
Virgin Radio Hits Switzerland targets today's young audience with a progressive music program and plays exclusively the latest hits.
Virgin Radio Rock Switzerland serves listeners around the clock with proven rock sound from today and the last decades.
Actress and singer Fabienne Louves and the two former radio professionals Sabine Renz and Christian Stoob were signed up as station voices for Virgin Radio Switzerland. The two national radio stations round off the radio portfolio of AZ Medien TV and Radio with the existing local stations Radio Argovia and Radio 24.
In 1993, Virgin Radio began its first program with a live announcement from Sir Richard Branson, founder of the global Virgin corporation. Virgin Radio International now includes radio stations in France, Italy, the UK, Turkey, Indonesia, Lebanon, Thailand, Dubai and Canada, among others, and now also in Switzerland. Managing Director of Virgin Radio Switzerland will be Florian Wanner, who will take over the management in addition to his current role as Managing Director of Radio Medien. Radio Medien includes the stations Radio 24, Radio Argovia and now Virgin Radio Switzerland Hits and Virgin Radio Switzerland Rock.
"We are pleased to take an innovative and strategically important step in the expansion of our station portfolio in Switzerland with Virgin Radio Switzerland. The development of DAB+ and IP Radio is leading to new opportunities in the radio market. We want to be at the forefront here and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. I wish Florian Wanner every success in his expanded role," Roger Elsener, Managing Director of AZ Medien TV und Radio, said in a statement.