"That's music!" – SRG is broadcasting again on the old FM frequencies
The title gives it away: This is a very Swiss story. It's about the radio, which usually just plays in the background. Lately, though, it has caused a surprising amount of a stir in Switzerland.
Switzerland actually wanted to phase out FM radio but then changed its mind. Originally, the FM licenses for the license-fee-funded SRG and private radio stations were set to expire in 2024. Roger Schawinski, the forefather of Swiss private radio, fought back against this. In 1979, he broke the SRG's monopoly with his pirate station Radio 24, broadcasting from Pizzo Groppera in Italy, and later founded additional stations. In July 2021, he submitted a petition with over 60,000 signatures. The Federal Council subsequently postponed the shutdown until the end of 2026.
The SRG did not want to wait that long. At the end of 2024, it shut off FM broadcasts and switched entirely to DAB+ in an effort to save millions. However, this plan did not work out. Radio SRF lost about 18 percent of its audience in the first half of 2025 alone—that's roughly 380,000 people. Private radio stations, on the other hand, feared losing their audience to foreign stations and lobbied in Bern. During the fall session of 2025, the National Council voted to maintain FM beyond 2026. On December 9, 2025, the Council of States narrowly followed suit, with 21 votes in favor, 18 against, and 5 abstentions. Media Minister Albert Rösti opposed the decision, but Parliament had made its decision. The Federal Office of Communications (BAKOM) reissued the FM licenses, which are now valid through the end of 2034.
Since private broadcasters continue to transmit on FM, the SRG did not want to remain on the sidelines any longer. As of November 12, 2026, its programs will return to the old frequencies. About 30 transmission sites are already back in operation; for now, the signal reaches about 80 percent of the population. According to the SRG, this costs it about CHF 6.5 million per year, and it must find the funds within its current cost-cutting program. As coverage expands again, it should be able to absorb the cost, even though its radio stations are ad-free except for sponsorships. FM will remain silent only in tunnels in the future.
The best part of the story: Even the good old Blaupunkt Frankfurt, running on a 6-volt vehicle electrical system, can once again receive SRF 1, the cultural station SRF 2, and the newer SRF 3—just like in the old days. Finally, some good news from the radio! Or as the Swiss say when they like something: “Das isch Musig!”
