SRG sells three music stations to CH Media and Digris

SRG is selling its three pure music stations, Radio Swiss Pop, Radio Swiss Classic and Radio Swiss Jazz, SRF reported. Private media company CH Media will acquire Radio Swiss Pop, while DAB+ network operator Digris will take over the other two.

Radio Swiss Pop is due to transfer to CH Media on 5 January 2027. Digris will take over Radio Swiss Classic and Radio Swiss Jazz in July 2027, SRG said. Its board approved the sales on Wednesday. The purchase prices were not disclosed.

SRG said the decision was part of its ongoing restructuring as it seeks to become more digital, flexible and efficient while reviewing its services. It is also under financial pressure because of the reduction in the media levy decided by the Federal Council.

The three so-called Swiss Satellite Radios could also be operated by private media companies and, as pure music stations, were not part of SRG’s mandate under its licence, the broadcaster said. SRG continues to operate 14 other radio programmes through SRF, RTS, RSI and RTR.

Listeners will initially see little change. The buyers have committed to maintaining the stations’ existing musical and editorial profiles for at least two years. The stations will remain without presenters and with limited advertising, while the share of Swiss music will remain at least 50 per cent.

After that period, the new owners will be able to decide on the programmes, distribution and marketing.

CH Media will add Radio Swiss Pop to its existing radio portfolio, which includes seven regional stations and the music programmes Radio Melody, Virgin Radio Switzerland, Flashback FM and Radio Eviva.

Digris operates DAB+ networks in Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom. According to SRG, more than half of all Swiss DAB radio stations are distributed through Digris.