These are the construction sites for the new SRG management
Published: Saturday, May 25th 2024, 05:00
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Major tasks await the new SRG management from the New Year. The fateful vote on halving radio and TV fees is likely to take place in 2026. But even before that, the new SRG leadership will have to get to work. The most important construction sites for public broadcasting in Switzerland:
RADIO AND TELEVISION FEE: The SRG is under considerable pressure due to possible reductions in broadcasting fees. The Federal Council wants to reduce the radio and television fee from CHF 335 to CHF 300 for private households from 2029 and abolish the fee for small and medium-sized enterprises. From 2025, the cost-of-living adjustment could also be partially or completely abolished. The popular initiative "200 francs is enough!" or a related counter-proposal is considered an even greater risk for SRG. If the initiative were to be approved, the share of SRG's budget accounted for by levies would fall from the current CHF 1.25 billion to around CHF 650 million. SRG broadcasters would face unprecedented cuts in staff and programming.
CONCESSION: In addition to broadcasting fees, the negotiations on the new concession are also going down to the wire. These are scheduled for 2027. A decision is expected in 2028. SRG management must draw up a new medium-term financial plan. A major debate on the public service is expected around the concession. The concession includes general requirements, for example on quality, but also describes and defines individual areas of the journalistic offering.
FINANCES: Despite stable audience ratings and the public's high level of trust in SRG stations as well as good marks in quality ratings, SRG continues to struggle with falling advertising income. In 2023, this was CHF 23.5 million below the previous year's figure. Income from sponsorship fell by CHF 5.1 million. One of the reasons for this is the increasing decline in reach. Consumers' usage habits are changing.
SECURITY: Cybersecurity is an important issue at SRG and also for the new management. A successful major cyberattack on the company is considered a significant risk for broadcasters. SRG is exposed in this area and is confronted with attacks on a daily basis. If an attack is successful, it would be devastating and would probably mean high costs.
OFFER: The new management is to continue the restructuring of the offering and modernize radio and television in the Internet age. SRG is striving for a balance between digital offerings on the Internet on demand and broadcasting, i.e. traditional radio and TV programs. SRG must hold its own against international competition, including in the streaming sector.
PLAY SUISSE: The SRG streaming platform for series, films and documentaries has got off to a good start. It has over one million subscribers and offers more than 3,000 Swiss works. However, the distribution strategy is outdated. Like many television channels, SRG plans its productions for the fall and spring. In between, there is a great wasteland with no new releases. In addition, users are sometimes overwhelmed by the offer. SRG Director Gilles Marchand proposed the creation of new "à la carte" programs. SRG also wants to discontinue the regional language streaming platforms by fall 2025 and transform Play Suisse into a comprehensive multilingual streaming platform.
DIGITALIZATION: SRG wants to strengthen its presence on the internet, including on social media, where it reaches young people in particular. However, private Swiss publishers see SRG as a major competitor in the online offering. Publishers have so far argued that they face competition on the internet from SRG channels, which are financed by fees, while they are in a tough battle for scarce advertising money.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: The digital transformation and new technical possibilities will be a challenge in the coming years. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) offers numerous opportunities for leaner workflows and new offerings. However, SRG has also identified risks posed by the technology, for example for quality journalism and credibility. The SRG offering may become harder to find due to new user interfaces.
LOCATIONS: SRG plans to open the new location for RTS radio and television in French-speaking Switzerland on the EPFL campus in Lausanne-Ecublens in 2025. It will replace the studios in La Sallaz. And a concentration in Ticino is planned for 2027. The RSI sites will be consolidated in Comano, north of Lugano. Plans include the sale of the building in Besso to the municipality of Lugano.
EUROVISION: In 2025, SRG will host the Eurovision Song Contest - the biggest music competition in the world. Although preparations have already begun, the new SRG management will also be judged on the success of the event next May. For Switzerland, the production is a major task associated with high costs.
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