Setbacks in Switzerland and Germany Show Uncertain Future for DAB Radio

 Radio stations lose listeners after FM shutdown.

DAB+ in Switzerland; the sad reality of utopian hope? Michel Fremy asks himself in Radiomagazine. He describes how the operator SwissMediaCast, one of the main Swiss digital broadcasters, decided earlier this year to return its license to the canton of Ticino for economic reasons. The multiplex was initially almost full with 15 of the 18 slots rented, but several stations closed over time. In the following years, some broadcasters withdrew due to lack of coverage and additional slots were freed up after bankruptcies. On the other hand, the public service broadcaster SRG had abandoned ship by handing over a significant part of its participation in SwissMediaCast to private broadcasters. The Belgian media expert writes further here:

After FM Adopt a Platform-Neutral Framework Rather than DAB+

FM Radio Switch-Off And The Need For Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Radio Policy

It is forecast In a research article by Tom Evans at the University of Ghent i Belgium that the discontinuation of FM broadcasting is inevitable, as analogue radio will increasingly give way to digital distribution. The FM switch-off is shaped by a careful balance between economic, societal and political interests. Governments bear responsibility for safeguarding universal access to radio while promoting innovation. Platform-neutral regulation should allow for flexibility rather than locking into one distribution standard.

New FM Radio Licences for Switzerland

Swiss broadcasting is rebuilding after the DAB fiasco

20 new frequency packages for 2027 for commercial radio.The Swiss Federal Communications Authority (OFCOM) has announced the new FM frequency packages for the period starting in 2027. Private radio stations can now apply for the corresponding broadcasting licenses. A total of 20 frequency packages are available in 13 regions. The planned coverage areas largely correspond to the situation before 2020. Radio stations which are already broadcast digitally via DAB+ in the respective region are eligible to apply by July 31, 2026. 

Strong Support for Mandatory FM Radio in Cars in Sweden.

In time of war and crisis robust broadcast networks get priority.

Regarding the ongoing distribution inquiry's report on the future terrestrial networks for radio and television, eleven authorities and companies have commented on the proposal that all new cars should also be able to receive analogue terrestrial radio broadcasts, i.e. FM. Positive to the proposal are Swedish Public Radio, the Post and Telecom Agency (PTS), the Armed Forces, Netnod, Schibsted, Teracom, National Educational Broadcaster (UR), Mobility Sweden, the Transport Workers' Union and Viaplay Group. Only the Competition Authority rejects the proposal.--- Read more about how the institutions view FM radio in cars below:

Sweden Joins the Global 5G Broadcast Bandwagon

System now being tested for radio and TV in Stockholm.

After more than five years of development work in 20 countries with the new 5G Broadcast technology, it is now on the agenda of broadcast provider Teracom which has started testing in Stockholm. The project will last for at least two years. Right now, public service radio (1) and television channels (4) are included in the broadcasts, which are primarily intended for mobile devices such as smartphones and connected cars. The broadcasts take place in the terrestrial network for TV (UHF band 682 MHz).  Read more here >

DAB Will Not Replace FM Radio In Switzerland

FM radio is now secured until 2034. Years of political battles are now over.

In Switzerland, the future of FM radio after 2026 is politically secured. In December 2025, the parliament decided to continue to allow analogue broadcasting. Now, the media authority OFCOM, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, has presented the specific framework for the allocation of FM frequencies from 2027. The step back to FM represents a major setback for the lobby that wanted, as in Norway, to completely replace FM with DAB+.