News + Trends

SRG will end FM at the end of the year

27.6.2024

Translation: machine translated

SRF, RTS and RSI will only broadcast via the old FM radio standard until the end of 2024. It would actually be possible to operate until the end of 2026. According to SRG, this is not worthwhile because the majority of listeners have already switched to the new DAB+ standard.

From 1 January 2025, SRG will only broadcast on DAB+ and via internet stream. This marks the end of an odyssey for public stations that began ten years ago. Since 2014, there have been discussions in Switzerland about switching off the old ultra-shortwave radio technology, better known by its abbreviation FM. Because customers have switched to the new DAB+ standard less quickly than expected, the original plan to switch off in 2022 has already been rejected once and postponed to 2024. A year ago, the Federal Council then granted a further mercy period until 2026, which the SRG is now not making use of, as stated in a press release. Because fewer and fewer FM sets are in use and maintaining the outdated infrastructure is expensive, the Board of Directors has decided to switch off FM at the end of 2024. This means that from 1 January 2025, you will no longer be able to receive SRF, RTS and RSI stations via FM and will have to switch to DAB+.

Will the private stations now benefit?

According to SRF, only just ten per cent of listeners tune in via FM, the rest listen to radio via DAB+ or internet streaming. However, it is also a fact that many cars do not have DAB+. It has only been mandatory in the EU to equip new cars with DAB+ as standard since 2021. It is therefore not surprising that FM is particularly popular when driving. One third of the radio minutes listened to in cars are attributable to the outdated technology, according to Bakom.

DAB+ will replace the outdated FM technology from 2026, as digital DAB+ offers various advantages. The sound quality corresponds to that of a slightly below-average compressed MP3. It will be possible to receive many more stations and annoying static will be a thing of the past. DAB+ reception is currently possible in almost all of Switzerland. There are only a few dead spots and car tunnels without reception. These are to be retrofitted by the end of the year.

This could play into the hands of private radio stations. Private radio providers are still allowed to use FM until 2026 and could therefore steal market share from the SRG over the next two years. "The SRG's decision is courageous and the right one to push ahead with digitalisation. It is very difficult for us to forecast market shares," says Nicola Bomio, President of the Association of Swiss Private Radios, to Digitec Galaxus. "In fact, the costs of operating FM and DAB in parallel are high, so around half of the private radio stations in Switzerland will follow the SRG and reduce FM operations from the end of 2024". The other half will observe the development, Bomio continues.

The calculation is simple: the more market share a radio has, the more revenue is generated through advertising. This revenue must at least cover FM operation, otherwise the dual operation of FM and DAB+ is not worthwhile. It is therefore quite possible that there will be radio silence on the frequencies even before the definitive end of FM technology at the end of 2026.

If your car does not yet support DAB+, there are adapters that are easy to install.

Car adapter

CHF120.–

Albrecht Dr 57

Car stereo accessories

CHF168.–

digiDAB Zurich Radio receiver

Car adapter

Sahaga POPyourCar 3.0

Car adapter

CHF120.–

Albrecht Dr 57

Car stereo accessories

CHF168.–

digiDAB Zurich Radio receiver

Car adapter

Sahaga POPyourCar 3.0

And if you need a DAB-capable replacement for your old kitchen radio, there is here the pre-filtered selection in the shop.

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Simon Balissat

Teamleader Editorial

Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.ch

When I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.

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