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Switzerland’s ongoing transition from FM to digital radio reached a key milestone with the switch-off of public broadcaster SRG SSR’s FM transmitters on Dec. 31. Three months on, listening figures show this step triggered significant changes in listening patterns, while the overall radio audience has remained stable.
In Q1 2025, daily radio reach in the German-speaking part of Switzerland showed no decline compared to late 2024. Nicola Bomio, head of radio at CH Media, the country’s largest private radio group in the region, said, “The daily reach is still at the same level as in the second half of 2024.”
Data show that SRG SSR’s German-language stations lost about 370,000 listeners, while Swiss commercial stations gained approximately 260,000, and stations from neighboring countries saw an increase of around 75,000. The net variation in overall reach is statistically negligible (–0.007%).
This audience redistribution reflects technical limitations: When FM transmissions end, listeners with FM-only radios switch to whatever stations remain accessible. “There is no decline in total radio use, just a shift from stations that can no longer be received to something else,” said Bomio. Part of the listener shift also benefited FM broadcasters from neighboring countries. In the German-speaking region of Switzerland, radio stations from Germany and Austria are easily received due to geographic proximity and the lack of a language barrier.
The latest data indicates that 62% of Swiss listeners use digital platforms exclusively, 30% are hybrid users (mainly digital, but still using FM in specific scenarios), and 8% rely solely on FM.
Where and how to intervene
The hybrid segment is susceptible to transition dynamics. According to Bomio, if FM access is removed from these users without proper adaptation, there is an estimated 20% loss in reach. This matches the shift seen after SRG’s FM shutoff, but the data highlight that the public broadcaster is losing reach, not listening time. “Therefore, short-use listening contexts, such as car rides, are most affected.”
These findings are helping Swiss radio stakeholders identify where and how to intervene. CH Media and other broadcasters are developing targeted campaigns to address these gaps, particularly in-car listening. About two million Swiss vehicles still lack DAB+ capability. Planned initiatives include marketing efforts and potential partnerships to support the adoption of DAB+ adapters and retrofitting services.
Switzerland’s mixed FM switch-off suggests similar transitions require strategic planning to retain listeners, especially in a competitive environment. With a nationwide FM switch-off mandated by the end of 2026, audience behavior data is proving crucial in shaping transition plans and public awareness actions that support continued access and stable listenership across platforms.
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