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Switzerland

Last update: 27.06.2024 - older versions

On 27 June 2024, the Swiss public broadcaster, SRG SSR announced it would cease FM broadcasting by the end of the year. It noted that "Around ten years ago, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM), private radio stations and the SRG began working closely together to plan the transition from FM to DAB+. The predictions made at the time - that DAB+ would become the new radio standard - have been borne out: the proportion of people who listen to radio exclusively via FM has now stagnated at less than 10%. From 2020, the industry will no longer be obliged to broadcast radio programmes using this technology, and maintaining three parallel broadcasting technologies is costly. The SRG Board of Directors has therefore decided to stop broadcasting SRG radio programmes via the now obsolete FM antennas on 31 December 2024."

Digital radio use in Switzerland has grown steadily since 2015: radio use via IP has increased from 26% in 2015 to 39% in 2023, while use via DAB+ has almost doubled in this period (2015: 23%, 2023: 41%). In German-speaking Switzerland, DAB+ is the most frequently used reception channel at 43%, while IP is ahead in French-speaking Switzerland at 41%. Half of radio listeners, or 45% of the population, only use digital reception channels, compared to 10% of the population who only listen to radio via FM. Around 31% use both. The proportion of people who do not use radio at all is 12%. This means that digital radio use has stabilised at a high level. As new cars are equipped with DAB+ as standard, in-car use will also become increasingly digital.

Read the Ofcom Switzerland press release

Swiss DAB+ Broadcast Networks Factsheet

A new factsheet on DAB+ digital radio in Switzerland has been produced for automotive manufacturers as the country prepares for FM switch-off.

The factsheet from WorldDAB - the global industry forum for digital radio - was produced as part of the work of its Automotive Working Group, in partnership with DIGIMIG, the Swiss body for DAB digital radio, and RadioDNS which promotes hybrid radio.

Swiss DAB+ Broadcast Networks

Last extension of FM licenses by two years

Radio programmes can be broadcast on FM until the end of 2026. At its meeting on 25 October 2023, the Federal Council extended the FM licences due to expire in 2024 for another two years. This will give broadcasters more flexibility to successfully migrate from analogue to digital radio.

By revising the Ordinance on the Use of the Radio Frequency Spectrum (RFSO), the Federal Council has made it possible for existing FM radio licences to remain valid beyond their current expiry date until the end of 2026. Radio broadcasters can also choose to discontinue analogue broadcasting before then; they have not been required to broadcast on FM since 2020. Radio broadcasters had originally planned to discontinue FM broadcasting by the end of 2024 at the latest. This last extension to the end of 2026 gives them the opportunity to find individual solutions to successfully complete their migration from FM to digital radio.

Read the OFCOM press release

Last update: 15.04.2020 - older versions

Digital radio on DAB+ in Switzerland reaches over 99% of the population (outdoor 99%, indoor over 96%). 99% of the roads are covered, including high way tunnels.

The latest commissioning is published as news on www.broadcast.ch.

Further resources on DAB+ coverage in Switzerland

Broadcast.ch Reception Card

Reception in Switzerland

SwissMediaCast Coverage Maps

Last update: 21.06.2022 - older versions

In this country there are

Regional multiplexes: 11 Regular
Local multiplexes: 17 Regular

on air.

Swiss DAB+ Broadcast Networks Factsheet

A new factsheet on DAB+ digital radio in Switzerland has been produced for automotive manufacturers as the country prepares for FM switch-off in 2024.

Swiss DAB+ Broadcast Networks

Please note:

(a) These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b) The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

Because of the structure of four languages, in Switzerland, there are no national multiplexes. Four of the seven language regional multiplexes are run by the public broadcaster SRG SSR since 1999. The first commercial DAB+ multiplex was launched by SMC in October 2009 in the German part of the country, the second one (ROM) at the end of 2013 in the French speaking part. Since December 2020 SMC runs a second language regional multiplex in the italian speaking part of Switzerland (Ticino). SMC also runs four regional multiplexes since December 2012. The first local multiplex (Geneva region) started in May 2014 in particular for non-profit radios. Today 17 so-called “local DAB+ islands” are on air in bigger agglomerations of the whole country, all run by Digris.

For an up to date list of services on air please visit:

For further information about DAB+ in Switzerland, please visit:

Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)

DABPlus, the Communication Campaign

All programs are distributed on internet as well, and in addition, there are 78 internet only services.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB+ programmes	54	70	124
Data services	0	1	1
Total	54	71	125

Last update: 26.02.2021 - older versions

99% of new cars in Switzerland now with DAB+ as standard

99 percent of all new cars are now equipped with a DAB+ radio as standard. Despite the pandemic-related slump in car sales, in 2020 the number of passenger cars equipped with DAB+ increased by 275,000 to just under 2 million vehicles.

DAB+ usage in cars

DAB+ could be received in 42 per cent of all vehicles at the end of 2020; at 47 per cent, reception via DAB+ is higher than via FM (45%), and overall digital use (including the internet) stands at 55 per cent.

Last update: 01.11.2021 - older versions

5.7 million DAB+ radios sold

In 2020, just under 600,000 DAB+ radios (including car radios) were sold.

According to the six-monthly surveys of electronics stores conducted by the market research institute GfK, a total of 5.7 million DAB+ devices have been sold since 2000. This indicates coverage of about one and a half devices per household.

There is also a clear upward trend in DAB+ equipment in vehicles: 99 percent of all new cars are now equipped with a DAB+ radio as standard.

Last update: 26.08.2021 - older versions

Digital switchover

Swiss radio broadcasters will shut down FM as originally planned on 31 December 2024, according to a press release published by Digimig, the Swiss broadcaster working group on digital migration, on 26 August 2021. On the same date, FM radio licences expire. From that date onwards, radio programmes will no longer be broadcast via FM. With the return to the original switch-off date, consumers have more time to switch technology.

In 2014, Swiss radio broadcasters agreed to stop broadcasting on FM by 2024 at the latest. At the end of 2020, almost three quarters of radio listening was digital, and the radio industry decided that an early and staggered shutdown of the FM stations in August 2022 (SRG) and in January 2023 (private radio) would be responsible. 42 out of 44 of Switzerland's radio broadcasters and the public broadcaster SRG agreed on this.

A public debate on FM switch off took place in 2021. In the German-speaking and Italian speaking regions of Switzerland, the vast majority of radio broadcasters remained in favour of the early shutdown of VHF, however not in French-speaking Switzerland. Since a nationwide solution is needed, radio broadcasters returned to their original plan of switching off the FM stations by 31 December 2024.

Key features of regulation for digital radio in Switzerland are:

Band III
National multiplexes
All stations are on DAB+
In 2013 stand-alone Band III ensembles were authorised by the regulator in the main conurbations, intended as a DAB+ platform for the smaller, non-commercial broadcasters
On December 1st 2014 radio market players presented to the regulator a detailed digital switch over plan
In 2016, it was decided that all services in the future should be DAB+
OFCOM holds the spectrum licence
In mid-February 2012, OFCOM awarded a broadcast licence to Romandie Médias SA to operate a further DAB+ network in French-speaking Switzerland. The new platform, which has a capacity of up to 18 DAB+ stations, went on air in April 2014.
The SRG licence includes the operation of a DAB multiplex and transmission network in Band III. The transmitter sites are operated by Swisscom Broadcast, but SRG is responsible for the planning of the network, signal generating and multiplexing.

Last update: 03.10.2024 - older versions

Over the past few years, a number of campaigns have launched in Switzerland on national TV and radio, to help promote DAB+ and inform listeners, drivers and consumers of the benefits of digital radio.

Current campaign

In order to encourage listeners to switch to digital reception at home and in the car, a multi-year information campaign was launched on 4 May 2020. It is intended to support the audience with information and assistance during the upcoming FM phase-out. The campaign will include TV and radio spots, social media activities, out-of-home advertising, measures for equipment dealers and car dealerships, plus a helpdesk to advise the public. The campaign will run until the final FM switch-off.

Last update: 08.04.2019 - older versions

Switzerland is also a pioneer in DAB/DAB+ tunnel rebroadcast systems. There are currently eight tunnels equipped and the plan is to cover up to 200 tunnels using 100 head ends and 1,000 transmitting sites. Emergency voice break-in, signal levels, system design and interfaces are also going to be specified.

The emergency alerting system in Switzerland for disasters today primarily relies on sirens (for “wake-up”) and Swiss Radio (for delivering the information). Swiss Radio currently broadcasts via VHF as well as via DAB+. Information can also be displayed on TV on banners and teletext, although this was only used once so far. In addition to this, cantons and municipalities are free to add their own channels for their official information (e.g., Twitter or Facebook).

In the next years, additional channels will be added. As of 2018, emergency alerts, warnings and information will also be published via the smartphone App “Alertswiss”, and the Website www.alertswiss.ch . As of 2019, further channels shall be added.

Regarding DAB+ in particular, the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) has undertaken different technical assessments and studies. Swiss Post, in collaboration with FOCP, has developed and successfully tested a prototype of a smart letterbox display that can show governmental information in case of an emergency. This information can be transmitted via DAB+. See also: https://youtu.be/kfTu4C7G3-Y

VHF system in the Lötschberg tunnel dismantled

07.07.2023 - Switzerland

FM broadcasting of radio programmes is to be discontinued at the end of 2024. But in some infrastructures, such as the Lötschberg and the new Gubrist tunnels, FM can already not be received, as the BernerZeitung reported on Thursday. Drivers can only get information there via DAB/DAB+. And the expansion of the digital broadcasting system on Swiss roads continues. Users of the Lötschberg car transport tunnel must have a DAB-capable car radio as early as 2022: During the renovation of the tunnel, the tunnel operators, in consultation with Bakom, replaced the old FM system with DAB. Since the special DAB information mode only works in the tunnel, the car transporters are also equipped with a public address system.

(persönlich) Read more

Beats Radio soon also in Austria and Switzerland

14.06.2023 - Germany - Austria - Switzerland

Klassik Radio wants to expand into Austria and Switzerland with its offshoot "Beats Radio" via digital radio DAB+ and the internet. This was announced by Managing Director Ulrich Kubak. Beats Radio plays a mix of house and lounge music, for the generation of 30-somethings and a youth culture that has come of age. He said Beats Radio is developing rapidly and was able to increase its digital reach by over 400 per cent in 2022. "We are very confident of making money with it very soon. The station alone has seven-figure EBITDA potential for our company," Kubak said.

(SatelliFax) Read more

Liechtenstein plans DAB multiplex as Lake Constance group discuss digital radio

31.03.2023 - OFCOM Switzerland WorldDAB Member - Bayerische Landeszentrale fur neue Medien (BLM) WorldDAB Member - Germany - Austria - Switzerland - Liechtenstein

Rainer Schnepfleitner, Head of the Office for Communications (AK) in Liechtenstein, and Severin Näscher, Regulation Audiovisual Media of the AK, presented a project to set up a DAB+ multiplex to cover Liechtenstein. Stefan Rauschenberger, head of the media law department at RTR Medien, provided information on the status of DAB+ in Austria and the current consultation on a selection principle ordinance with the aim of putting out to tender another nationwide or regional DAB+ multiplex in Austria.

(RTR) Read more

SRG shares its DAB+ expertise with the world

21.02.2023 - SRG SSR WorldDAB Member - Switzerland

SRG's DAB+ transmitter networks are among the best in the world. This is the result of years of experience and know-how, which is now available in an international report. The 50-page report "Measuring techniques for digital audio broadcast coverage performance", published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in March 2022, documents Swiss expertise in DAB+. It explains in particular how to ensure the quality of a DAB+ transmitter network. On the SRG side, Gils Glauser and Roberto Moro contributed to the report. If this report helps other countries and organisations to improve their DAB+ network, then we are very happy," says Moro, SRG Broadcast Service management specialist.

(SRG) Read more

77% listen to digital radio – Sharp rise in digital use in the car

10.02.2023 - OFCOM Switzerland WorldDAB Member - Switzerland

Digital radio use is increasing across all regions, age groups and places of use, while FM continues to decline. Radio listening via the internet is becoming increasingly popular, although DAB+ remains the most widely used platform for radio listening. Last year, almost half a million new DAB+ radios came into use. In autumn 2022, radio listeners used digital platforms for an average of 77 out of 100 minutes of radio every day. Home is by far the most popular place to listen to the radio (63% of all radio use), followed by the workplace (18%) and the car (13%). The highest proportion of radio use in cars is now via DAB+ (51%). What's more, for several years now 99.9% of all new passenger cars have come with a DAB+ radio fitted as standard.

(OFCOM Switzerland) Read more

New DAB+ transmitter for Romandie Médias sa

07.02.2023 - Romandie Medias SA WorldDAB Member - Switzerland

Digital radio coverage continues to improve. A new DAB+ transmitter was put into service last Friday in Les Écorcheresses. It covers the villages of Soulce, Undervelier, Sornetan, Rebévelier, Saulcy and the Gorges du Pichoux. In total, some 60 transmitters in the Romandie Médias network are to cover the whole of French-speaking Switzerland.

(Romandie Médias sa) Read more

WorldDAB member focus: Sumatronic AG

01.02.2023 -

- Sumatronic AG WorldDAB Member - Switzerland - Martinique

New WorldDAB member Sumatronic has brought DAB+ to Martinique and hopes to support other regions of the world where the population has few or no DAB+ receivers. In our first ‘member focus’ article of 2023, we learn how Sumatronic recently launched its "DAB4all" campaign, in our interview with CEO Peter Matter.

(WorldDAB) Read more

Local radio and regional TV: Tender for new licences opened

30.01.2023 - OFCOM Switzerland WorldDAB Member - Switzerland

38 local radio and regional television licences will be put out to tender by the end of April 2023. Whoever is awarded the licence will fulfil a regional public service mandate from 1 January 2025 and receive money from the radio and television levy in return. Licences for 15 commercial local radio stations, 10 complementary non-profit local radio stations and 13 regional television stations with a performance mandate and fee share will be put out to tender. The broadcaster licences for local radio and regional television include a binding performance mandate. In return, the broadcasters receive the right to broadcast their programmes in their coverage area via DAB+ (radio) or via cable (television).

(OFCOM Switzerland) Read more

TopCC Radio launched in Zurich via DAB+

10.01.2023 - Switzerland

Since the start of the year, Swiss TopCC Radio can also be heard in Zurich via DAB+. It is broadcast on the Digris multiplex on channel 9D. The station is backed by the Swiss large-scale supermarket chain TopCC, which belongs to SPAR Holding. The branded radio station is produced and marketed by Silverspot from Uster. "It's like a dream that has become reality. Or to put it another way: we actually did the right thing at the right time," Remo Civatti, Managing Director at Silverspot AG, said. The radio customers who can already be heard on the station through successful marketing include established brands such as Unilever, Feldschlösschen, Rivella and many more.

(radioWOCHE.de) Read more

RADIO R now on DAB+ throughout French-speaking Switzerland

27.12.2022 - Switzerland

The Christian music radio station RADIO R is taking its broadcasting in French-speaking Switzerland a step further. "Radio Réveil has decided to join Romandie Médias SA, the company responsible for the DAB+ broadcasting of private radio stations in French-speaking Switzerland", explains Emmanuel Ziehli, the director of RADIO R. A network of 55 and soon 60 transmitters spread over the whole of French-speaking Switzerland will broadcast the radio's signal between Visp, Fribourg, Bienne, Boncourt and Geneva.

(RADIO R) Read more

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Key Information

Status:	regular
Population:	8.7 million
Population coverage:	99.5%
Services:	124 DAB+, 1 Data
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard:	99%
Total Sales (cumulative):	5,694,000 devices
Last update: 01.11.2021

Useful Links

DABPlus
SwissMediaCast (SMC)
Romandie Médias
Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)
SRG Broadcast
Digris