SRG SSR sells its three music stations, and the Swiss music quota only lasts two years

SRG SSR is selling its three music-only stations. CH Media is taking over Radio Swiss Pop, and Digris AG will continue Radio Swiss Classic and Radio Swiss Jazz.¹ For musicians, one point matters most: the share of at least 50 per cent Swiss music is only guaranteed for two years.¹

The SRG SSR board of directors approved the sale on 16 September 2026.¹ According to SRF, Radio Swiss Pop is due to pass to CH Media on 5 January 2027.² Classic and Jazz move to Digris in July 2027.¹ The price is secret. ‘Über den Verkaufspreis wurde Stillschweigen vereinbart’ (the parties agreed not to disclose the sale price), the SRG SSR press release states.¹

SRG SSR's conditions: no presenters. Limited advertising. At least 50 per cent Swiss music. Plus distribution via DAB+, streaming and third-party platforms, and cable networks.¹ But they have an end date. ‘Die von der SRG definierten Verkaufsauflagen gelten für zwei Jahre.’ (the conditions of sale set by SRG SSR apply for two years)¹ After that, the new owners decide for themselves on programming, distribution and marketing.¹ The press release doesn't say from which day the two years run.

SRG SSR cites its Enavant transformation project and the cut to the licence fee decided by the Federal Council.¹ Under its licence, music-only stations are not part of its remit. Its commitment under the ‘Swiss Music Charter’ remains in place.¹

Both buyers are already in the radio business. According to SRF, CH Media runs seven regional stations and music programmes such as Radio Melody, Virgin Radio Switzerland, Flashback FM and Radio Eviva.² Digris, also according to SRF, operates DAB+ networks in Switzerland, France and Great Britain.²

Sonart, the professional association for musicians, calls the decision ‘bitter und enttäuschend’ (bitter and disappointing).³ The Schweizer Musikzeitung sums up the reaction as a ‘herbe Enttäuschung’ (a bitter blow).⁴ Sonart writes: ‘Zwei Jahre sind keine nachhaltige Absicherung, sondern vertagen die Unsicherheit lediglich.’ (two years are no lasting safeguard, they merely postpone the uncertainty)³ The association also disputes the reasoning. In its view, the licence explicitly provides for such programmes in Article 16(2)(c), even though they are not mandatory.³ And it objects to the timing: according to Sonart, SRG SSR announced the sale on Swiss Music Day, of all days.³

Sonart is calling on CH Media and Digris to keep the 50 per cent after the guarantee expires. From SRG SSR, it wants concrete compensation for the loss across its remaining radio, TV and digital services.³ The Swiss Music Council sees itself, Sonart, the SMV, orchester.ch and other associations as responsible for monitoring how the conditions are implemented.⁵

What this means in practice: The three stations don't just play Swiss music, they pay for it too. According to Sonart, they generate direct income for musicians via Suisa and Swissperform.³ Suisa and Swissperform are collecting societies (they account for the use of music and pass the money on to rights holders). Neither SRG SSR nor Sonart says how much money flows through the three stations each year. That figure is missing. Only one thing is certain: the quota stays for two years. After that, it's up to CH Media and Digris.