“Video Killed the Radio Star” sang The Buggles in 1979. Forty-five years later, radio is not dead but FM is soon to be. For the benefit of DAB+. The channels RTS Première, RTS Espace 2, RTS Couleur 3 and RTS Option Musique will leave our good old band on December 31 and will then only be available via Digital Audio Broadcasting and internet streaming.
Please note: we are talking about serving the public (this also concerns the other SSR channels). Other Swiss radio stations will gradually cease FM broadcasting until the end of 2026.
So, how do you listen to “On en parole”, “Les bras brokens” or “La matinale” on an FM radio, in particular a car radio? By using an adapter box (the simplest and least expensive) or by having your vehicle adapted by a mechanic. You can also buy a new device.
In a press release, the RTS ensures that DAB+ technology “offers better sound quality and a greater choice of programs than the FM band, while being able to be received free of charge, without the need for an Internet subscription, including in regions where telephony is going badly. She adds that “the new broadcasting technique allows better control of transmitter maintenance costs, in particular thanks to the energy efficiency of DAB+”.
Please note that if you already receive radio programs via the Internet, even if the signals are not in DAB+ form, you will not have to do anything when switching off FM.
It is also possible to ask questions via the dabplus.ch website offered by the Confederation or by calling the telephone line 0848 040 102 opened by the SSR.
