Digital transmission

Radio usage in autumn 2024 (before the SRG's FM switch-off)

In autumn 2024, shortly before the SRG’s FM switch-off, the Digital Migration working group once again collected figures on radio usage.

Radio: FM switch-off from 31.12.2024

SRG SSR will cease radio broadcasting on FM throughout Switzerland on 31 December 2024. SRG SSR programmes will continue to be available on DAB+ and the internet. Local radio stations decide themselves when to stop broadcasting on FM.

80% of radio use in Switzerland is digital

Radio is largely consumed at home (63% of usage) and most frequently via digital reception channels - 80% of all radio usage is digital. In terms of share, FM is still most frequently used in the car (33%), but here too digital use predominates.

Switzerland listens to digital radio – only 8 out of 100 people listen exclusively to FM radio

Digital use of radio continues to increase in all regions, age groups and listening locations. Almost 70% of radio listened to in the car is now via digital channels. This was announced by the Digital Migration working group (DigiMig WG) at Swiss Radio Day on 31 August 2023.

77% listen to digital radio – Sharp rise in digital use in the car

Digital radio use is increasing across all regions, age groups and places of use, while FM continues to decline. Radio listening via the internet is becoming increasingly popular, although DAB+ remains the most widely used platform for radio listening. Last year, almost half a million new DAB+ radios came into use.

Three quarters of radio listening is via a digital platform

DAB+ and internet radio make up three quarters of overall radio use, with young people preferring IP radio and older listeners tuning in via DAB+. For every 100 minutes of radio listened to in cars, 62 are transmitted digitally.

DAB+ transmitter networks for digital broadcasting by radio stations

In Switzerland more than 120 radio stations can be received in digital form by antenna. Several companies are responsible for preparing this programming in the DAB+ format and for broadcasting it over their transmitter networks.

Digital terms

Brief overview of digital terms

Legal framework

Digital frequency plan

Switzerland is to acquire 14 full national coverages for the expansion of digital broadcasting – seven for digital television (DVB-T) and seven for digital radio (T-DAB). This is the result of the international ITU Radiocommunication Conference in Geneva which came to a close on 16 June 2006.

Broadcasting Directives regulate the dissemination of radio and TV

The Federal Council has issued the new Directives for the digital dissemination of radio and TV programmes in the VHF and UHF bands. As a result, DETEC is now able to release frequencies for digital broadcasting.

Specialist staff

Top of page