French Regional Radios Fight to Preserve FM Broadcasting

French-Speaking Regional Radios Advocate for FM Extension Amidst Audience Decline

French-speaking regional radio stations (RRR) are urging for a postponement of teh FM broadcast shutdown beyond 2026, citing a significant drop in listenership for RTS following its transition away from FM distribution at the end of 2024.preliminary figures from Mediapulse indicate a quarter fewer listeners for RTS in the first half of 2025.

While regional private radios have seen an increase in listeners, with a 13.4% rise,RTS stations are experiencing substantial declines. RTS 1 has lost 19.3% of its audience, Espace 2 is down 48.6%, and Couleur 3 has plummeted by 45.5%. The RRR notes that a portion of the displaced RTS listeners have migrated to French national radio stations, which have gained 15.9% in listenership.

The Case for Extending FM Diffusion

The planned cessation of FM broadcasting for Swiss private radios is set for the end of 2026. Though, the RRR argue that the current audience figures for RTS underscore the necessity for an extension. They contend that the survival of several regional radio stations is directly dependent on continued FM transmission for a few more years.

This extended period, they suggest, would allow for a more natural audience migration. It would provide more time for car manufacturers to equip vehicles with DAB+ receivers, for household equipment to transition to the new standard, and for neighboring foreign stations to increasingly adopt DAB+ broadcasting. The RRR also emphasize that an extension of FM broadcasting would not incur any additional costs for taxpayers or the Confederation.

Divergent Realities: public vs. Private Radio

A decade ago, both the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SSR) and private radio stations had agreed to phase out FM. The SSR has adhered to this commitment this year, presenting associated figures and consequences with the expectation that private stations would follow suit. The RRR question the rationale behind challenging this agreement now.

The stark difference, as explained by the CEO of radio Fribourg on Saturday, lies in the funding models. “The difference between the public and the private sector is that for us, our turnover depends directly on it,” he stated. “The SSR is mainly funded by the royalty, which is vrey good for it. but Radio Fribourg, the company I run, draws almost 60% of its advertising income. And advertising is directly linked to the audience.For us,it’s vital. We could simply not survive without.”

Political Intervention and Parliamentary Debate

The Association of Swiss Private Radios (ASPR), the German-speaking counterpart to the RRR, has echoed the call for an FM stop postponement.The issue has also garnered attention within the political arena.

Earlier this month, the relevant committee of the National Council narrowly rejected a motion that urged the Federal Council to abandon the FM deactivation scheduled for the end of 2026. Instead,the motion proposed that the government either extend current FM concessions or initiate a new tender process for FM concessions beginning January 1,2027. The final decision rests with Parliament.

What are teh primary financial challenges regional French radio stations face when considering a transition to DAB+?

The Battle for the Airwaves: Why FM Still Matters in France

For decades, FM radio has been the cornerstone of audio broadcasting in France, notably in its diverse regional landscapes. However, a push towards digital radio – specifically DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) – is sparking a fierce debate, wiht local and regional radio stations leading the charge to preserve FM broadcasting. This isn’t simply a technological preference; it’s a fight for accessibility, cultural identity, and the very survival of many independent broadcasters. The core of the issue revolves around FM radio preservation, digital radio transition, and the future of local radio France.

Understanding the Digital Radio Push & DAB+

The french government, along with many European nations, has been actively promoting DAB+ as the successor to FM. The arguments are compelling:

Improved Audio Quality: DAB+ offers potentially clearer sound with less static.

More Channels: Digital broadcasting allows for a greater number of stations to be transmitted within the same bandwidth.

Data Services: DAB+ can support text and image information alongside audio.

Though, the rollout of DAB+ hasn’t been seamless. Coverage remains patchy,particularly in rural areas,and requires investment in new receivers by listeners.This is where the conflict with regional FM stations arises. The transition to DAB+ is often framed as a natural evolution, but for many smaller stations, it represents a important financial and logistical hurdle. DAB radio adoption rates are still lagging behind expectations, creating a dual system that strains resources.

Why Regional Radios Are Resisting

The resistance to abandoning FM isn’t about being anti-technology. It’s about practicality and preserving what works. Here’s a breakdown of the key concerns:

Cost of Transition: Switching to DAB+ requires substantial investment in new transmitters, encoders, and studio equipment.Many regional stations operate on tight budgets and simply can’t afford the upgrade.

Coverage Gaps: DAB+ coverage is uneven. while major cities have good reception, rural areas often suffer from signal dropouts, limiting the reach of stations. FM, with its established infrastructure, provides reliable coverage across the country.

receiver Penetration: A significant portion of the French population still relies on FM radios in thier cars, homes, and portable devices. Forcing a switch to DAB+ would effectively exclude these listeners. the cost of new DAB+ radios is also a barrier for some.

Cultural Impact: Regional radios play a vital role in broadcasting local news, music, and cultural programming. A weakened regional radio landscape could lead to a homogenization of content and a loss of local identity. French radio landscape is rich in diversity, and FM helps maintain that.

The Role of the CSA (Arcom) and Government Policy

The conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA), now Autorité de régulation de la dialog audiovisuelle et numérique (Arcom), is the regulatory body overseeing broadcasting in France. Arcom has been tasked with managing the transition to digital radio, but its policies have been criticized by regional radio associations.

Recent government decisions have included:

Extension of FM Licenses: Recognizing the concerns of regional stations, the government has extended FM broadcasting licenses, delaying the planned switch-off date.

Financial Aid: Limited financial assistance has been offered to help stations with the cost of upgrading to DAB+. However, many argue that this aid is insufficient.

Mandatory DAB+ Inclusion: New cars sold in France are now required to have DAB+ receivers, aiming to boost adoption.

These measures represent a compromise, but the underlying tension remains.The debate centers on finding a balance between promoting technological advancement and protecting the viability of local media. Radio regulation France is a complex issue.

Case Study: Radio Pays de L’Or – A Regional Perspective

Radio Pays de L’Or, a local station serving the Allier department in central France, exemplifies the challenges faced by regional broadcasters. The station relies heavily on FM to reach its audience of over 50,000 listeners.

“Switching to DAB+ would be a huge financial burden for us,” explains station manager, Isabelle Dubois. “we’re a small team,and we depend on local advertising revenue. we simply don’t have the resources to invest in new equipment and maintain both FM and DAB+ transmitters.”

Radio Pays de L’Or actively campaigns for the preservation of FM,arguing that it’s essential for maintaining local news and information services in a rural area. Their story is representative of many similar stations across France.

Benefits of Maintaining FM Alongside DAB+ – A Hybrid approach

A phased approach, where FM and DAB+ coexist for an extended period, offers several benefits:

Gradual Transition: Allows listeners time to adopt DAB+ receivers without being cut off from their favorite stations.

Continued Accessibility: Ensures that those without access to DAB+ (due to location or financial constraints) can still listen to local radio.