New Era of Radio Broadcasting in Switzerland Comes to an End
As the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2025, a historic moment of silence marked the end of an era in Switzerland’s radio broadcasting landscape. The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG) shut down its ultrahigh frequency (UKW) radio programs, signaling a major step in the country’s digitalization of radio broadcasting.
The SRG has decommissioned around 850 UKW transmitters across the country, affecting the programs SRF 1, SRF 2 Kultur, and SRF 3 in the German-speaking region. These programs are now exclusively available through digital channels such as DAB+, the internet, or cable connections. The SRG’s transition to DAB+ has reduced the number of required transmitters to around 260, making the operation more efficient and cost-effective.
While the SRG has ceased its UKW broadcasts, approximately two dozen private radios in Switzerland plan to continue transmitting over UKW, with plans to switch to digital broadcasting by the end of 2026.
According to the Federal Office of Communications (Bakom), around 10% of the Swiss population still relied on UKW for radio reception at the end of 2024. However, since 2015, there has been a steady increase in the use of DAB+ and internet radio, with DAB+ usage rising from 23% in 2015 to 41% in 2023, and internet radio usage increasing from 26% to 39% over the same period.
In 2023, UKW radio was still the most popular in cars, with 33% of listeners tuning in, but even in this setting, digital usage was on the rise, underscoring the trend towards digital reception.
The shutdown of UKW transmitters marks a significant step in the digitalization of Swiss radio broadcasting. The SRG is set to save around CHF 15 million annually and is investing in the future-proof technology of DAB+.
For listeners, this means better sound quality and a greater variety of programs. To receive DAB+ signals, listeners need a compatible device or adapter. New cars have been equipped with digital technology since 2024, and the Federal Roads Authority (ASTRA) has completed the upgrade of all national highway tunnels for digital radio reception by the end of 2024.
The SRG has been preparing listeners for the UKW shutdown through a series of communications since the fall of 2024 and will continue to provide support for the transition. The digitalization of radio broadcasting opens up new opportunities and ensures that radio will remain a vital part of Switzerland’s media landscape in the future.