The culture stations of SRF, RTS and RSI are set to work more closely together

The three SRG SSR culture stations are to work more closely together. That emerges from the savings measures for 2027 that SRF, RTS and RSI presented in mid-September.¹²³ In Ticino, the orchestras are hit as well. RSI plans to cut its contribution to the orchestras of Italian-speaking Switzerland.³

First, the amounts. SRF is saving CHF 9.7 million and cutting 38 full-time equivalent posts.¹ According to its own report, RTS is saving CHF 8.1 million and cutting 25 full-time equivalents, which amounts to 30 jobs.² RSI is saving CHF 3.4 million and cutting 8 to 12 full-time equivalents.³ In total, SRG SSR has to save CHF 270 million by 2029, CHF 80 million of it in 2027.²

What changes for music is scattered across three announcements. Here it is in one place.

SRF writes: ‘Mittelfristig werden die Kultursender Radio SRF 2 Kultur, RTS Espace 2 und Rete Due noch enger zusammenarbeiten und damit weitere Synergien nutzen.’ (in the medium term, the three culture stations will work even more closely together and make further use of synergies)¹ What that looks like is still open. The Basel site is not up for discussion.¹ SRF Virus is focusing on digital platforms. The linear programme continues with fewer editorial resources.¹ On radio, SRF will only broadcast new episodes of weekly formats in the 40 highest-impact weeks. In summer or over public holidays, it will rely more on repeats or presented music programmes instead.¹

According to RTS, Espace 2 is joining forces more closely with SRF 2 Kultur and Rete Due for classical music and jazz.² The report gives no further details on music.

RSI wants to exchange more cultural content with SRF and RTS. On top of that comes the planned cut to the orchestra contribution.³ In entertainment, music productions are to be shared more often.³ RSI's announcement was published by the Comunità Radiotelevisiva Italofona.

What this means in practice: For musicians, what counts at SRG SSR is airtime, recordings and commissions. None of the three announcements says how much of that will go. For RSI, the most important figure is missing. It doesn't say how much the orchestra contribution will fall or which orchestras are affected. The next date is open. SRF plans to work out how the culture stations will cooperate ‘in den kommenden Monaten’ (in the coming months).¹