Public broadcaster exclusive FM switch-offl advantage for commercial radio
After FM is switched off, public broadcaster lose half a million listeners
The switch-off led to an almost one quarter drop in listener numbers. Commercial stations are recording growth as they continue to broadcast via FM. Compared to the second half of 2024, the three major German-language radio stations of the SRG - SRF 1, SRF 2 and SRF 3 - lost an average of almost half a million listeners per day in the first two weeks of January 2025. Overall, the net daily reach of these three stations fell by 490.700 people, which represents a decline of 23.5 percent.The loss of listeners coincides exactly with the shutdown of the SRF FM transmitters. The SRG stopped broadcasting its radio programs on FM at the end of 2024.
This raises the suspicion that the decline is due to the end of FM: people who want to keep their FM radios and do not want to switch to the new DAB technology may have turned their backs on SRF. Mediapulse, the company that measures radio numbers says it is too early to make statements about such connections. Normally, binding information about the period after the FM broadcast is shut down would not be published until July. Due to the special situation, however, the SRG will evaluate the numbers after just three months.
The SRG originally justified the shutdown of the stations by saying that less than 10 percent of listeners listened to the radio "exclusively" via FM. According to SRG FM is an "outdated" technology that should no longer be invested in new infrastructure projects. Operating the 850 FM transmitters in Switzerland costs 15 million francs a year. In the future.
The shutdown came sooner than expected. The FM phase-out was originally only planned for the end of 2026. However, the SRG decided to bring this step forward - regardless of the decision of its major private competitors, which will continue to broadcast via FM for another year attracting listeners who do not use DAB or internet radio devices.
However, the decision was met with criticism. According to a study by the Federal Office of Communications, around 33 percent of the Swiss population still use FM at least partially - especially in the car. Critics accuse the SRG of downplaying the importance of FM.
Radio pioneer Roger Schawinski, operator of Radio 1, is the loudest critic of the FM shutdown. Now he sees his views vindicated by the provisional listener figures: "This is Switzerland's biggest media own goal of all time - deliberately caused by the SRG itself." As a public service provider, the SRG should have set an example and not been the first to switch off FM.
Schawinski also feels strengthened in his stance against a FM ban for private radio stations. "The drop in listenership proves in dramatic fashion that FM is still a relevant radio technology that cannot be deliberately banned." Schawinski is therefore planning to take legal action against the Federal Council's decision to abolish FM completely by the end of 2026.
Private radio stations benefit from the development In contrast to the SRF stations, some private radio stations increased their listener numbers over the same period. Roger Schawinski's Radio 1 saw the largest percentage increase: plus 50 percent to 113,000 listeners. Radio Pilatus increased its listenership by 20 percent, while Radio 24 increased by 16 percent.
Commentary
After Norway Switzerland will become the second country of the world to close its FM network. It is quite a paradox that in 2020 Switzerland was the first country to close its digital terrestrial television network (DVB-T2). Swiss television is now distributed by Internet, cable and satellite.
As in Norway foreign visitor in Switzerland with cars older than 2021 will not be able to listen to public broadcaster on terrestrial radio. For another year commercial radio will be their only choice. But a smartphone will probably save the situation. But that is Internet not DAB.
It is a serious mistake for any country to apply the DAB system as the major radio platform. DAB established 1995 has not succeed in establish itself as a global choice. Major countries outside Europe as China and India will go for DRM. DAB is established in Australia alongside AM and FM, not as a major platform. DAB is becoming quite obsolete as it is not receivable in any smartphone which is an important listening device all over the world.
The lobby organisation WorldDAB has its legal residence in Geneva.
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