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Switzerland

Last update: 10.02.2025 - older versions

On 31 December 2024, the Swiss public broadcaster, SRG SSR ceased FM broadcasting. In announcing this plan in June 2024, 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."

For private radio stations, depending on the radio station, individual FM transmitters in a broadcasting area will be switched off in stages from 1 January 2025 (fade-out process) or in their entirety at the end of 2026. The Association of Swiss Private Radios (VSP) has more details on its website. It is understood that as of January 2025, three local stations have switched FM off completely: Radio Stadtfilter, Radio 3fach, and Radio GOAT. Most stations in German-speaking areas have turned off some FM transmitters, especially smaller ones, while they plan to keep one or two high-power transmitters on until 2026, to keep urban areas covered. In French-speaking areas, most radio stations plan to continue until the end of 2026.

In autumn 2024, just before SSR's FM switch-off, the Digital Migration working group once again collected figures on radio usage. The results show that the majority of the Swiss population has already switched over to digital radio: at the last measurement in autumn 2024, only 8% of listeners listened to the radio exclusively via FM, while 83 out of every 100 minutes were listened to via DAB+ or the internet. Digital usage has reached a new peak since the start of the study. Digital broadcast channels were used to a similar extent (DAB+: 42%; IP: 41%). The majority of radio use still takes place at home: 60% of minutes listened to are spent at home, 20% at work and almost 14% in the car. This breakdown has remained stable over the years.

 

 
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

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. 

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

 

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: 

SRG Broadcast

SwissMediaCast (SMC)

Romandie Médias

Digris

DABPlus 

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
Total5471125

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

Switzerland listens to digital radio - now just 8% listening to FM only
31.08.2023 - OFCOM Switzerland WorldDAB Member - Switzerland Switzerland
Digital use of radio continues to increase in all regions, age groups and listening locations in Switzerland. Almost 70% of radio listened to in the car is now via digital channels. This was announced by the Digital Migration working group (DigiMig WG) at Swiss Radio Day on 31 August 2023. Of all radio minutes listened to in Switzerland, 81% are digital. Around half of these (41%) are listened to via DAB+ and the other half (40%) via the internet. In the first half of 2023, 245,600 new DAB+ devices were added in Switzerland, bringing the total stock including vehicles to approximately 6.7 million. 54 percent of all passenger cars in Switzerland are now equipped with DAB+.

(Ofcom Switzerland / DigiMig WG) Read more

Ready for the winter season 2023: SwissMediaCast extends DAB+
25.07.2023 - SwissMediaCast AG WorldDAB Member - Switzerland Switzerland
The DAB+ stations of the Swiss-German layer OCH 02 of SwissMediaCast will in future be available in Klosters, Davos, Arosa and Lenzerheide. The two transmitters in Davos and Klosters were switched on on 22 June 2023. The transmitter in Mon for coverage of Lenzerheide and Albula/Alvra will follow on 3 August 2023. The transmitter in Arosa is planned for 7 September 2023. This means that another important tourist region will be supplied with DAB+.

(SwissMediaCast) Read more

Swiss Federal Councillor proposes final extension of FM to 2026
15.07.2023 - Switzerland Switzerland
Swiss Federal Councillor Albert Rösti will propose to the full Federal Council a "final" extension of the current FM broadcasting licences until the end of 2026. On 13 July, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) informed the radio associations of this proposal, pointing out that some broadcasters had experienced local and regional problems in recent months that required individual solutions. "OFCOM is currently examining the possibility of extending FM radio licences until 2026 and will prepare an amendment to the corresponding legislation for this purpose", explained OFCOM spokesman Francis Meier. The Federal Council will probably decide by the end of 2023 whether it wishes to approve this extension, he added.

(RTS Radio Télévision Suisse) Read more

Phare FM continues its DAB+ rollout
10.07.2023 - Switzerland Switzerland
This summer, Phare FM is inaugurating the sixteenth broadcasting zone in Geneva for the station, which describes itself as "the leading Christian music radio station in the French-speaking world". Since 21 June 2023, Phare FM has been broadcasting on DAB+ in the canton of Geneva, the Pays de Gex and (part of) the French Genevan area as far as Lausanne. This opportunity to broadcast to the southern tip of Lake Geneva represents the potential for almost 900,000 additional people to be able to listen to Phare FM.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

VHF system in the Lötschberg tunnel dismantled
07.07.2023 - Switzerland 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 Germany - Austria Austria - Switzerland 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 Germany - Austria Austria - Switzerland Switzerland - Liechtenstein 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 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 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 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

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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 8.7 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 99.5%
Services: 124 DAB+, 1 Data
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 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