Radio Zurich

What Radio Zurich does

Radio Zürisee AG is a privately held Swiss regional radio broadcaster headquartered at Bahnhofplatz 1 in Rapperswil-Jona, operating since 1983 and currently ranked as the No. 1 private radio station in the Zürich-Glarus concession area (KG23) and the No. 3 private radio station in German-speaking Switzerland overall, reaching 215,700 daily listeners in D-CH and 182,600 in its core concession area (Mediapulse, 2H 2025). The company broadcasts via FM (multiple regional frequencies), DAB+ across German-speaking Switzerland, internet streaming, and native iOS/Android applications, and supplements its main station with eight on-demand themed music channels curated around 80s and 90s hits across genres including rock, pop, lounge, party, summer, and superstar formats.

The company's product portfolio extends beyond traditional radio into live events, venue rental, e-commerce, and event ticketing, monetized through diversified revenue streams. The primary revenue source is B2B radio advertising sold to regional SMBs and enterprises in retail, hospitality, services, travel, and healthcare, structured through on-air spots, show/event/service sponsorship, and the cross-media WerbePack bundle, plus custom audio production services. Secondary revenue comes from the Radio Zürisee Loft, a 120 sqm owned event venue launched in 2019, rented at CHF 800–2,000 per booking; the Ticket42 buy-one-get-one event platform; branded merchandise (e.g., the CHF 12.90 'Reif für die Insel' swim ring); and a paid webshop. Distribution is sales-led through a dedicated team including a Verkaufsleiter (Head of Sales), Key Account consultant, and Radiowerbung Beratung, supplemented by self-service online configuration tools, with audio ad representation handled by Swiss Radioworld AG and digital banner sales by Goldbach Audience.

The company is operationally led by CEO Daniel Merkle (appointed July 1, 2025, previously Programmleiter from July 2024, with prior leadership experience at FM1 and CH Media's REM division) under Board President Fabian Villiger within the parent group Fabian Villiger Management AG, with former CEO Matthias Kost transitioning to a Board Delegate role. With ~28 named employees across programming, sales, technical, marketing, and events functions, the company operates as a multi-format regional media and entertainment brand spanning FM, DAB+, digital audio, live events, venue rental, and e-commerce in the German-speaking Swiss market.

Name

Radio Zurich

Legal name

Radio Zürisee AG

Website

https://radiozuerisee.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Radio Zürisee is a Swiss regional private radio broadcaster founded in 1983 in Rapperswil, broadcasting 80s/90s hits plus contemporary music via FM, DAB+, and streaming to ~215,700 daily listeners in German-speaking Switzerland and serving regional SMB advertisers plus live-event and venue-rental customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Radio Advertising Sales & Representation (Local/National, Network Ad Sales) (MPAIAEAI), Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains) (MPABACAC), Non-Interactive Digital Radio (Lean-Back Streaming) (MPAIACAB)

Keywords

• Commercial radio broadcasting
• Radio advertising sales
• Event sponsorship
• Digital audio streaming
• Event venue rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Rapperswil

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Radio Advertising (On-Air Spots): The primary revenue stream is radio advertising sold to businesses across various formats including show sponsorship, service sponsorship, radio spots, and the WerbePack cross-media package combining on-air, digital audio, and online advertising.
2. Event Sponsoring & Ticket42: Event sponsorship packages tied to station events (Seenachtfest, Rewind Festival, and other live events) and the Ticket42 'buy one, get one free' promotion platform for partner events and venues.
3. Radio Zürisee Loft Venue Rental: The Radio Zürisee Loft event venue is rented out for private events (seminars, concerts, corporate events, weddings) generating rental income. Pricing ranges from CHF 800 (4-hour short rental) to CHF 2000 (full day), plus optional packages.
4. Merchandise Sales (Webshop): Sale of branded merchandise through the station's web shop, including the 'Reif für die Insel' (Radio Zürisee swim ring) sold at CHF 12.90.
5. Audio Production Services: Custom audio production services for external clients including radio spots, voice-overs for videos, multilingual telephone announcements, and event PA systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Radio Zürisee is a regional Swiss private radio station broadcasting the biggest hits of the 80s, 90s and contemporary music alongside news, weather, and traffic updates across FM, DAB+, internet streaming, and mobile apps. The company sells advertising and sponsorship packages (WerbePack, Show-Sponsoring, Event-Sponsoring, Service-Sponsoring, Businessline) to regional businesses, operates the Radio Zürisee Loft event venue for corporate and private rentals, runs the Ticket42 'buy one get one free' event ticketing platform, sells branded merchandise via its webshop, and provides custom audio production services.

Product overview

Radio Zürisee operates as a regional Swiss private radio broadcaster (founded 1983) offering a multi-channel radio experience centered on the biggest hits of the 80s, 90s and beyond. The core offering comprises the main radio station with FM, DAB+, and online streaming, supplemented by eight specialized genre web channels (Rockhits, Pophits, Lounge Hits, Sommerhits, Superstars, Partyhits, Future Hits). The product portfolio extends to the Radio-Zürisee mobile app (iOS/Android), the event venue 'Radio Zürisee Loft' (created 2019 for rentals and hosted events), the Ticket42 promotional platform, and comprehensive advertising/sponsorship products including WerbePack, Show/Event/Service-Sponsoring, Top 80er-Sponsoring, Morgenshow-Game, Infomercials, and Businessline. The company also operates a merchandise line featuring branded items like the 'Reif für die Insel' swim ring, available via its web shop and retail partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ticket42: A ticket-for-two promotion program where listeners purchase one ticket to an event and receive a second ticket complimentary from Radio Zürisee.
• Radio Zürisee Loft

Products and services

• Radio Zürisee Main Station Regional Swiss private radio station broadcasting to the greater Zürichsee area and German-speaking Switzerland, featuring the biggest hits from the 80s, 90s and contemporary music, along with news, traffic updates, and entertainment. Distributed via FM, DAB+, internet streaming, and mobile apps.
• Music Genre Web Channels Eight specialized music streaming channels including 80er 90er Future Hits, 80er 90er Lounge Hits, 80er 90er Rockhits, 80er 90er Sommerhits, 80er 90er Pophits, 80er 90er Superstars, and 80er 90er Partyhits, offering curated playlists targeting specific musical tastes within the retro format.
• Radio Zürisee Mobile App Free mobile application for iOS and Android that enables listeners to access the main Radio Zürisee stream and additional themed music channels anywhere and anytime.
• Radio Zürisee Loft Event Venue 120-square-meter event venue at Bahnhofplatz 1 in Rapperswil, accommodating up to 100 persons. Available for rental for seminars, concerts, corporate events, weddings, and private celebrations, with full-day, evening, and short-rental packages and optional technology and planning add-ons.
• Ticket42 (Ticket for Two) Promotional platform where listeners purchase one event ticket and receive a second ticket free from Radio Zürisee. Connects event organizers with audiences through cross-media promotion across radio, online, social media, and newsletter. Ticketing handled via shop.radiozuerisee.ch and TicketCorner.
• Radio Advertising and Sponsorship Products Suite of advertising and sponsorship products for regional businesses, including the WerbePack cross-media package combining on-air spots with digital audio and online ads, show sponsorship, event sponsorship, service sponsorship (weather, traffic), Businessline radio announcements, Top 80er-Sponsoring, Morgenshow-Game, Infomercials, and Promotions/Competitions.
• Audio Production Services Custom audio production services for external clients including radio spots, voice-overs for videos, multilingual telephone announcements, and event PA systems.
• Radio Zürisee Branded Merchandise Branded merchandise including the 'Reif für die Insel' (Radio Zürisee swim ring) sold at CHF 12.90, distributed via the station's web shop and partner retail locations including Visitor Center Rapperswil, lintharena Näfels, and Swiss Post branches.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~211,000 daily listeners in German-speaking Switzerland (as of 1st half 2026)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Kontiki ReisenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKontiki Reisen is a partner for radio promotion campaigns, particularly for Scandinavian and Nordic travel destinations. Radio Zürisee has run multi-channel promotional campaigns for Kontiki. The partnership is described as long-standing with shared values of quality and authenticity.
• Kuster Sport AGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKuster Sport AG (leading sport retailer for running, hiking, trekking, camping, skiing, fitness, and watersports in the greater region) uses Radio Zürisee for radio advertising campaigns to increase brand awareness and store traffic in the broadcast region.
• Kaufmann Umzüge GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily-run moving and transport company (third generation, established 1965) based in Männedorf. Radio Zürisee provides regional radio advertising to strengthen the company's brand positioning in the Zürichsee region.
• Dampfbahn-Verein Zürcher Oberland (DVZO)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio Zürisee partnered with DVZO for the 'Radio Zürisee entdeckt' segment and a competition promoting the 'Baumwoll-Express' tourist train experience in the Zürcher Oberland. The collaboration includes a joint competition with family day tickets as prizes.
• Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerZVV (Zurich Transport Network) partnered with Radio Zürisee for the 'Radio Zürisee entdeckt' segment promoting the Baumwoll-Express event, providing travel information and ticketing details as part of the collaboration.
• H2U Openair UsterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio Zürisee partners with the H2U Openair Uster festival through its Ticket42 'buy one, get one free' promotion, offering CHF 66 packages (2 tickets) to festival-goers.
• Swiss Radioworld AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRadio Zürisee's audio advertising is marketed by Swiss Radioworld AG, a radio advertising representation company operating in the Swiss radio market.
• Goldbach Audience (Switzerland) AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanner advertising on the radiozuerisee.ch website is marketed by Goldbach Audience, which uses cookie-based tracking to optimize ad targeting based on user browsing behavior. Goldbach handles the collection and use of user data for advertising optimization on the website.
• Metzgerei Brönnimann AGminorOthersRecommended catering partner for events at the Radio Zürisee Loft venue.
• Hotel Seedamm AGminorOthersRecommended catering partner for events at the Radio Zürisee Loft venue.
• Bäckerei Wick RapperswilminorOthersRecommended catering partner for events at the Radio Zürisee Loft venue.
• Schwarze GabelminorOthersRecommended catering partner for events at the Radio Zürisee Loft venue.
• M&K Catering GmbHminorOthersRecommended catering partner for events at the Radio Zürisee Loft venue.
• Egli Catering AGminorOthersRecommended catering partner for events at the Radio Zürisee Loft venue.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/radiozuerisee
• Instagraminstagram.com/radiozuerisee
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpJt1V5UPvX9a1qL1H1F1tA
• TikToktiktok.com/@radiozuerisee
• Xx.com/radiozuerisee

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Radio Zurich