The old Blaupunkt Frankfurt is not yet obsolete in Switzerland, at least not if you want to listen to the radio on FM frequencies. Following the switch-off of the SRG (Swiss Broadcasting Corporation) state radio stations at the end of 2024, it was decided by parliament on December 9, 2025 that the switch-off and switchover to DAB+ planned for 2026 for private broadcasters should no longer be mandatory. However, as the programs of SRF, which belongs to SRG, have lost up to a quarter of their listeners, SRG now wants to take a step back and go back on air on FM as quickly as possible.
The original shutdown of SRF at the end of 2024 was based on a ten-year-old agreement with the radio industry and the federal government.
On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Parliament decided to postpone the switch-off of FM stations in Switzerland, particularly at the urging of Swiss private broadcasters. Radio stations, both private and public, can therefore continue to broadcast their programs via ultra-short wave beyond 2026. The Federal Council must now draw up an implementation proposal - the end of FM broadcasting was previously scheduled for December 31, 2026.
SRG feels left in the lurch
The SRG now writes in a press release that its decision to switch off FM was in line with an agreement made ten years ago with the radio industry and the federal government and that it has "shown solidarity" in paving the way for private radio stations.
However, as some private radio stations are not prepared to switch off for the time being, the SRG feels compelled to return to FM. "A complete abandonment by SRG would only have made sense if the entire industry had switched off FM at the end of 2026 as agreed," it continues.
However, nine out of ten minutes of radio are already listened to digitally, which is why the SRG will "continue to rely heavily on digital channels and DAB+". Not least because a large proportion of listeners have already made the switch. By returning to FM, SRG wants to ensure that no listeners are lost while the digital strategy is continued.
Implementation will take place at the legally, technically and economically best possible time to ensure an efficient reintroduction.
Continuing with FM
This will also reduce a certain dependency on purely digital communication networks. What is unfortunate about the whole farce, however, is the additional, unplanned effort that now has to be made to get back on the air. This is also happening against the backdrop of the SRG being forced to make savings and an upcoming referendum - the "halving initiative" - threatening to cut the state media's budget in half.
As a welcome side effect, however, this decision means that intact, fully functional receivers can continue to be used in Switzerland for quite a while longer instead of having to be disposed of prematurely. In a historic vehicle equipped with a VHF-compatible device, you can therefore continue to receive in Switzerland. It is not yet known whether public transport radio will also return to FM.