Media Council of States committee wants to extend FM radio beyond 2026
Radio stations in Switzerland should be able to broadcast their programs via FM transmitters beyond 2026. After the National Council, the responsible Council of States committee is also calling for this, but only just.
07.11.2025, 11:51
SDA
The Council of States' Committee for Transport and Telecommunications (KVF-S) voted 5 to 4 with 2 abstentions against switching off FM at the end of 2026 and in favor of an extension, as the parliamentary services announced on Friday. Now it is the small chamber's turn.
According to the press release, the majority is of the opinion that more time should be granted for the switchover to DAB+. It is concerned about the decrease in the number of radio listeners after the SRG switched off FM at the beginning of the year. This could lead to listeners switching even more to foreign radio stations.
A strong minority of the committee rejected the motion. According to the communiqué, it points out that the initiative to switch off FM originally came from the radio industry itself and that the switch to DAB+ was announced at an early stage. It also notes that the continuation of FM broadcasting is associated with costs.
Media Minister Albert Rösti opposed a further extension of FM radio in the National Council. He said that the available funds should be better used for journalistic content. If Parliament accepts the motion, the Federal Council will put the FM licenses out to tender again for reasons of equal treatment, he announced.
