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Radio stations in Switzerland will be able to broadcast their programs via FM transmitters beyond 2026. After the National Council, the Council of States also adopted a motion to this effect on Tuesday.

By 21 votes to 18 with five abstentions, the small chamber adopted a motion from the National Council's Committee for Transport and Telecommunications (KVF-N). The National Council had already approved the motion in the fall session. The Federal Council must now make a proposal for implementation against its will.

FM broadcasting is currently scheduled to be discontinued on December 31, 2026. The motion demands that the Federal Council refrain from doing so and instead extend the current FM radio licenses. Alternatively, the federal government should carry out a new tender procedure for the allocation of FM radio licenses from the beginning of 2027. Media Minister Albert Rösti announced during the debate that this is exactly what he intends to do. A mere extension of the existing licenses is no longer justifiable.

With its decision, the Council of States followed a narrow majority of its pre-advisory committee. This committee was concerned about the decline in the number of radio listeners after the SRG switched off FM at the beginning of the year.