Radio Swiss Pop, Classic, and Jazz Are Being Sold
SRG is selling its three Swiss Satellite Radio stations to two private companies. Radio Swiss Pop will go to CH Media, while Radio Swiss Classic and Radio Swiss Jazz will be acquired by Digris AG. The stations’ current programming format and a minimum of 50 percent Swiss music will be guaranteed for two years.
The three music stations Radio Swiss Pop, Radio Swiss Classic, and Radio Swiss Jazz are getting new owners. As the SRG announced on September 17, CH Media will take over Radio Swiss Pop starting in January 2027. Radio Swiss Classic and Radio Swiss Jazz will be operated by Digris AG starting in July 2027. The SRG Board of Directors approved the sale on September 16. The parties have agreed not to disclose the sale price.
The sale is taking place as part of the «Enavant» transformation project, through which the SRG is repositioning itself in light of changing financial conditions. This also includes a review of its programming strategy. According to the SRG’s assessment, the three dedicated music channels can just as easily be operated by private media companies; they are not part of the SRG’s mandate as defined by its license.
The share of Swiss music will remain unchanged for the time being exist
The new owners have committed to maintaining the stations’ current musical and content focus for at least two years. The programs will continue to be broadcast without hosts and with limited advertising. The requirement that at least 50 percent of the music be Swiss will also remain in effect during this period.
Further distribution via DAB+, streaming, and third-party platforms, as well as via cable networks, is also guaranteed. However, once the two-year period has expired, CH Media and Digris will be able to make their own decisions regarding the programming, distribution, and marketing of the stations.
CH Media is one of Switzerland's largest private media companies and already operates several radio stations. Digris AG is primarily active as an operator of DAB+ networks and has also been running the non-commercial radio station «open broadcast» since 2011.
Unresolved Issues After the Transition Period Ends
The SRG emphasizes that, even after the sale, it will continue to support Swiss music and Swiss artists within the framework of the «Charter for Swiss Music.» For the three stations that have been sold, however, the binding commitment to air at least 50 percent Swiss music will expire after two years.
This makes it an important task for the Swiss Music Council, SONART, SMV, orchester.ch, and other associations to closely monitor the implementation of the agreed-upon guidelines. Efforts must also be made to ensure that the high proportion of Swiss music is not reduced once the two-year commitment expires, but rather is secured on as permanent a basis as possible. For Swiss musicians in particular, radio programs with a wide reach that consistently feature domestic works serve as a significant showcase.
