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+.
The new FM licenses will run until 2034, which corresponds to the validity period of the licenses of the existing broadcasters. The public service broadcaster SRG/SSR and 25 licensed private radio stations with a public service mandate can continue to use their existing frequencies in their respective coverage areas. A corresponding application to OFCOM is required. Frequencies that are not renewed by the end of 2026 will be put out to tender again in 2027.
A different procedure is planned for FM frequencies that have previously been used by broadcasters without a public service mandate: These frequencies will be bundled together in "clusters" and put out to tender. All interested broadcasters can apply. If there are several interested parties, an auction is planned for autumn 2026.
In principle, FM broadcasting in Switzerland will remain voluntary. At the same time, a significant part of the frequency spectrum will continue to be reserved for public service broadcasting to ensure analogue broadcasting. It is particularly noteworthy that Switzerland - unlike Germany, for example - will continue to provide regulatory protection for analogue broadcasting for a longer period and will maintain it alongside digital platforms, writes Radioszene.
After several years of public debate and political ups and downs, Switzerland has now started to restore and stabilise its radio market. Norway thus remains the only country in the world to have closed its national FM network. The fact that Switzerland did not succeed in the same way is considered as a major setback for the DAB lobby.
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So vergibt die Schweiz die UKW-Frequenzen ab 2027 (Radioszene.de)
So können Schweizer Radios via UKW weitersenden (persoenlich.ch)
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