In 2014, Swiss radio stations agreed to turn off the FM broadcasting of their programs by 2024 at the latest. The SSR will therefore deactivate its FM antennas on December 31. The technology is considered obsolete because it is used by less than 10% of listeners.
The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM), private radio stations and the SSR began planning the transition from FM to DAB+ around ten years ago, explains the SSR on Thursday in a press release. However, the forecasts have been confirmed: the share of people who listen to its channels exclusively via FM is currently stagnating at less than 10%.
It is generally towards DAB+ or IP (internet) broadcasting that the public turns to listen to the radio. These technologies offer better sound quality and a greater choice of programs. They are also more efficient in terms of energy and costs. Finally, they allow information to be transmitted in the form of text and images.
>> Read also: Albert Rösti proposes extending FM waves until the end of 2026
Costs deemed disproportionate
Furthermore, since 2020, the branch is no longer required to broadcast radio programs via this technology and maintaining three parallel broadcast technologies is expensive. The maintenance and renewal of FM installations are expensive and therefore now disproportionate, argues the SSR.
Thus, in view of the savings imposed on the SSR, due to the decline in advertising revenue, rising prices and political pressure, new investments are no longer justifiable.
Please note that the Federal Roads Office will also deactivate the FM installations in motorway tunnels by the end of the year in favor of digital reception. New vehicles put into circulation have, for several years, been equipped as standard with digital technology.
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