The SRG’s radio station lose many listeners

Since the beginning of the year, the radio stations of the SRG can only be received via the Internet or DAB+. Now it shows that many radio consumers have not participated.

The SRG’s radio stations have not been heard on FM since the beginning of the year. This has led to a striking decline in the number of listeners. The number of people who heard at least once one SRG station within the first three months of the year has dropped by 18 percent in German-speaking Switzerland. Burglary in western Switzerland – 25 percent – and Italian -speaking Switzerland: 29 percent. This is shown by the data from Mediapulse AG.

The private radio stations, which can still be received on FM, have gained listeners. This affects both the range and the market shares.

The radio does not want to change anything on its line

However, the SRG sees no reason to change something on its course. Public broadcasting points out that FM will be switched off nationwide by 2026 at the latest. And the SRG emphasizes that radion use on the Internet and on DAB+ will continue to increase – according to the fact that the number of use will soon recover.

In the second half of 2024, the SRG stations pointed out in their programs that use on FM was no longer possible from the turn of the year. Nevertheless, many radio listeners have apparently no new devices.

Car drivers with FM radios have refrained from retrofitting and have been listening to private broadcasters from home and abroad since January 1st. However, the Federal Office of Roads took out all FM systems out of operation in the Swiss road tunnels at the end of 2024; The digital reception is only possible there.

The SRG explains that « change and conversion need time. » The strong decline in French -speaking Switzerland and Ticino indicates that a shift in radion use towards channels from France and Italy took place. It is uncertain whether these listeners will return to the SRG mostly.