Digital radio - the radio industry plans the phase-out of FM broadcasting

By 2024 all radio programme services are to be broadcast only digitally in Switzerland, mainly on DAB+ platforms. This is the goal of the radio industry, which will cease analogue FM broadcasting of its programme services by 2024 at the latest. On 1 December 2014, representatives of the SRG and the private radio stations presented a corresponding roadmap to Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard.

The transition from analogue to digital radio broadcasting is to take place in two phases: by the end of 2019 all FM stations are also to broadcast digitally on a DAB+ platform. From 2020 onwards, the radio stations want to cease FM broadcasting gradually and in a coordinated manner. The process is expected to be completed by 2024.

In the meantime, the rapid expansion of digital broadcasting continues in Switzerland: On 30 August 2014, Digris AG commenced operation of the first DAB+ island in German-speaking Switzerland and is broadcasting 14 radio stations in Zurich. It is now therefore possible to receive 47 radio stations digitally in Zurich. Digris AG commenced operation of a first DAB island in Geneva on 1 June 2014. Further DAB+ islands are planned. Digris AG holds a radio licence for the operation of DAB+ islands in the large Swiss conurbations. These are designed in particular for the low-cost digital broadcasting of small, non-commercial FM and internet stations.

Since 16 April 2014 a DAB+ network for commercial private radio stations has been operational in French-speaking Switzerland: Romandie Médias SA is broadcasting eleven commercial FM stations, two new digital radio stations and the SRG's Rete TRE and SRF4 News. Over 90% of all FM stations licensed in western Switzerland can therefore be received via DAB+.

Romandie Médias SA is a joint operating company of all the FM stations in western Switzerland broadcasting on DAB+, the SRG and Swisscom Broadcast AG. SwissMediaCast AG (SMC) is a similarly organised company in German-speaking Switzerland. Since October 2009, SMC has been operating a regional-language DAB+ platform with 18 radio stations, including eight commercial FM stations, three SRG stations and seven commercial stations which can be received only via DAB+ and cable networks. Since December 2012, SMC has also been constructing several regional DAB+ platforms. Those currently in operation are Zürich-Northern Switzerland, Bern-Freiburg und Eastern Switzerland, on which seven other FM stations are broadcast in addition to the SRG's regional journals. Further regional platforms are at the planning stage.

Since 30 August 2014, approximately 70% of all licensed FM stations can also be received digitally in parts of German-speaking Switzerland. All SRG stations are broadcast digitally.

Private FM radio stations on DAB+ platforms

German-speaking Switzerland

Station	Coverage area
Radio 1
Radio 105	Zurich
Radio 24	German-speaking Switzerland
Radio 32	Bern-Freiburg
Radio 3fach
Radio Argovia	German-speaking Switzerland
Radio Basilisk	Northern Switzerland
Radio BeO
Radio Bern 1	Bern-Freiburg
Radio Canal 3 D
Radio Central	German-speaking Switzerland
Radio Energy Basel	German-speaking Switzerland
Radio Energy Bern	Bern-Freiburg
Radio Energy Zürich	German-speaking Switzerland
Radio FM 1	German-speaking Switzerland
Radio Freiburg D	Bern-Freiburg
Radio Kanal K	Zurich
Radio LoRa	Zurich
Radio Munot
Radio Neo 1
Radio Pilatus	German-speaking Switzerland
Radio RaBe
Radio RaSa
Radio Rottu Oberwallis
Radio Stadtfilter	Zurich
Radio Südostschweiz
Radio Sunshine	Northern Switzerland
Radio Top	German-speaking Switzerland
toxic.fm	Zurich
Radio X	Zurich
Radio Zürisee	Northern Switzerland

Western Switzerland

Station	Coverage area
BNJ FM RTN	French-speaking Switzerland
BNJ FM RJB	French-speaking Switzerland
BNJ FM RFJ	French-speaking Switzerland
Radio Canal 3 F
Radio Chablais	French-speaking Switzerland
Radio Cité	Geneva
Radio Fribourg	French-speaking Switzerland
Radio GRRIF	French-speaking Switzerland
Radio Lausanne FM	French-speaking Switzerland
Radio One FM	French-speaking Switzerland
Radio Rhône FM	French-speaking Switzerland
Radio Rouge FM	French-speaking Switzerland
Radio lac	French-speaking Switzerland