AARAU, Switzerland — The recent decision by Swiss public service broadcaster SRG SSR to switch off its FM transmitters at the end of 2024 and rely exclusively on DAB+ and IP has triggered a measurable shift in audience behavior — but not a decline in total radio listening. Since 2024, each Swiss radio broadcaster has been allowed to shut down its FM transmitters anytime, but most commercial broadcasters still transmit via FM and DAB+.
Photo: CH Media Holding AG
Commenting on Q1 2025 radio listening figures in the German-speaking region of Switzerland, Nicola Bomio, head of radio at CH Media, the largest private radio group serving that area, said overall radio reach remains stable. “The daily reach is still at the same level as in the second half of 2024,” he said. While the SRG’s German-language channels have lost approximately 17% of their daily audience — about 370,000 listeners — commercial radio stations have gained around 260,000. In addition, stations broadcasting from Switzerland’s neighboring countries have seen an increase of about 75,000 listeners.
So, the transition has not resulted in fewer people listening to radio overall but rather in a redistribution of audience share (the overall balance equals –0.007% compared to Q2/2024). Following SRG SSR’s switch-off, listeners with FM-only radios are likely tuning in to whatever FM stations they can still receive — often private Swiss stations or those from across the border. “There is no decline in total radio use, just a shift from stations that can no longer be received to something else,” Bomio said.
Measurement and medium
Switzerland’s audience measurement system, managed by MediaPulse, relies on portable devices worn by panelists. These devices record ambient audio and match it with reference signals from broadcasters, identifying which station was being listened to. However, the system cannot differentiate between FM, DAB+, or internet streams. As such, tracking the technological mode of consumption is done through regular surveys.
Public broadcasters are losing reach, not listening time. That tells us they’re losing listeners in short-use scenarios, like car rides.
Nicola Bomio, head of radio at CH Media
According to the most recent survey data from late 2024, only 8% of the population listens exclusively via FM. Another 30% are hybrid users — mostly digital but still using FM in specific contexts, such as on older radio sets placed in locations where they are used only occasionally. As a result, they are unlikely to be replaced or upgraded early on and will typically be the last devices in the house to be replaced. The remaining 62% listen digitally, with around 40–45% identifying as internet radio users.
Bomio noted that hybrid listeners are particularly concerning for commercial broadcasters. “If we take away those remaining FM moments from dual users, we estimate a 20% loss in reach,” he said. This mirrors the impact observed at the public broadcaster following its FM switch-off.
The mixed transition has highlighted Swiss stations’ vulnerability to cross-border competition. With SRG SSR’s FM signals turned off, foreign broadcasters now benefit from a less crowded spectrum — even in cities like Zurich, Austrian and German stations are now clearly received, and with no language barrier. Those foreign stations broadcast in the same German language of Swiss people living in that area, thus representing a viable alternative for them.
“We’re a small country. FM reception from neighboring nations is strong, particularly in border regions like Ticino,” said Bomio. He added that if commercial broadcasters switched off their FM networks without careful planning, they risk losing listeners to foreign stations. Even a complete deactivation of Swiss FM transmitters would not necessarily dry out FM listening altogether — listeners could still find stations from abroad to tune into, bypassing the need to upgrade their devices.
Strategic response
By law, all Swiss radio stations must cease FM broadcasting by the end of 2026. Bomio said it is unclear whether commercial broadcasters will accept this timeline or seek a political extension. “Some broadcasters may try to postpone the switch-off date. But that would require intervention by the government or parliament,” he explained.
In the meantime, private broadcasters are focusing on managing the transition carefully. CH Media and others have already started deactivating smaller FM transmitters, particularly in peripheral areas. The idea is to maintain coverage through main transmitters located in elevated regions, while gradually phasing out less essential infrastructure to reduce costs. “We believe the main mountain-based transmitters will still provide adequate FM coverage for now,” said Bomio.
Swiss authorities have already implemented FM switch-off in road tunnels, such as the 17 kilometer-long Gotthard Tunnel. Only DAB+ signals are now transmitted in those environments, a decision made at the federal level that reflects the Swiss authorities’ commitment to a digital future.
Preparing the market
Commercial broadcasters operate on shared DAB+ networks managed by private companies, some of which the broadcasters co-own. Each broadcaster rents space on DAB+ multiplex layers, paying for access based on coverage needs.
During the digital transition, the Swiss government offered financial support to encourage DAB+ adoption. This funding covered a portion of DAB+ transmission costs, sometimes up to 80%. However, the support scheme ended in 2024, aligning with the government’s original FM switch-off plan. “Even DAB-only stations were eligible,” said Bomio. “But since 2024, there is no more funding.”
To facilitate the transition, CH Media is planning marketing initiatives aimed at car owners. Around two million vehicles in Switzerland still lack DAB+ receivers, and in-car listening is a significant driver of audience behavior. “Public broadcasters are losing reach, not listening time. That tells us they’re losing listeners in short-use scenarios, like car rides,” said Bomio.
Initiatives may include promotional campaigns and partnerships with service providers to offer DAB adapters or installation services. Bomio confirmed this is one of CH Media’s key actions for the next 18 months.
Multiplex strategy
When asked about the quality of DAB+ audio, Bomio confirmed that public broadcasters use more expensive and higher-quality multiplex layers. Due to pricing and capacity constraints, commercial stations operate on more affordable, lower bitrate layers.
“It’s more a pricing issue than how many stations are on the multiplex,” he said. While not directly involved in the technical setup, Bomio emphasized that the network structure in Switzerland allows broadcasters to adjust their strategy based on financial and market considerations.
Switzerland’s mixed FM switch-off offers insight for markets contemplating a similar transition. The data suggest that digital-only broadcasting does not inherently lead to a decline in audience but requires strategic planning to retain listeners, especially in a competitive cross-border environment. As private broadcasters move toward 2026, their focus remains on minimizing disruption, maintaining reach and preparing the audience for a fully digital future.
After receiving a Master of Science in Engineering, the author worked for Telecom Italia and Italian public broadcaster Rai. Based in Bergamo, Italy, he now works as a broadcast consultant for radio stations and equipment manufacturers, specializing in project management, network design and field measurement.
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2025 edition of RedTech Magazine.
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