Switzerland - Current situation - History
02.12.2014
In the spring of 2013, the Swiss radio industry joined forces with the broadcasting regulator, OFCOM, to form the Digital Migration (DigiMig) working group. In addition to OFCOM, the group comprises representatives of the VSP association of Swiss private radio stations, the RRR association which represents regional radio stations in French-speaking Switzerland, the Unikom union of non-commercial local radio stations, SRG, the automotive industry, and other sectors.
On 1 December 2014 the "DigiMig" working group published a report on switchover from FM to DAB+ and submitted their vision to Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, Head of DETEC.
View the press release here.
The "DigiMig" report sets out a possible route from FM to DAB+ with 15 concrete recommendations.
In the working group's view, radio stations throughout Swtizerland should be broadcast first and foremost digitally via DAB+ by 2024 at the latest, and the analogue FM transmitters phased out. It proposes two main phases for the switchover:
- Phase 1 would run until 2019. The report provides for specific marketing and communications measures, for example, to promote digital radio listening at home and in the car. The new Radio and Television Act (RTVA) will also give the technology a significant boost. This phase will be accompanied by a dedicated programme of audience research.
- Phase 2 provides for the phased switchoff of FM transmitters between 2020 and 2024, coordinated by region. The radio sector wishes to take independent responsibility for this process, and is currently drafting the corresponding agreement.
Today there is one national multiplex with four regional multiplexes for the four different languages, three regional multiplexes and one local multiplex (Geneva area), covering the German, French and Italian speaking areas of the country, with a mix of public and commercial services. One local multiplex (Zurich area) is planned to be launched still in 2014. End of 2012 the first step of the switchover of DAB to DAB+ took place.
Switzerland first launched DAB digital radio services in 1999 when the public broadcaster, SRG SSR went on air. The DAB+ services started as of 2008.
Click here for a powerpoint presentation (March 2014) providing an overview of the status of digital radio rollout in Switzerland.
26.09.2014
Today there is one national multiplex with four regional multiplexes for the four different languages, three regional multiplexes and one local multiplex (Geneva area), covering the German, French and Italian speaking areas of the country, with a mix of public and commercial services. One local multiplex (Zurich area) is planned to be launched still in 2014. End of 2012 the first step of the switchover of DAB to DAB+ took place.
Switzerland first launched DAB digital radio services in 1999 when the public broadcaster, SRG SSR went on air. The DAB+ services started as of 2008.
Click here for a powerpoint presentation (March 2014) providing an overview of the status of digital radio rollout in Switzerland.
12.06.2014
The Federal Office of Communications awarded a radio licence to Digris AG for the operation of DAB+ islands throughout Switzerland.
Today there is one national (with four regional multiplexes for the four different languages) two regional and one local multiplexes, covering the German, French and Italian speaking areas of the country, with a mix of public and commercial services. In the middle of October 2012 the standard DAB was switched to the standard DAB+. Two to three programs per region will remain on simulcast service DAB/DAB+ until 2015.
The original four multiplexes are run by the public broadcaster SRG SSR, the first commercial DAB+ multiplex which was launched on 13 October 2009 now broadcasts 14 commercial radio stations in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. A second local commercial DAB+ multiplex started in December 2012 in the German speaking part with six commercial radio- and three public radio stations and a first regional commercial DAB+ multiplex in the French speaking part will start at the end of 2013.
Switzerland first launched DAB digital radio services in 1999 when the public broadcaster, SRG SSR went on air. Marketing activities started in 2006.
Click here for a powerpoint presentation (March 2014) providing an overview of the status of digital radio rollout in Switzerland.