Radio RaBe
Radio RaBe is a member-owned, non-profit community radio station in Bern, Switzerland, broadcasting commercial-free programming on 95.6 FM and online. It serves music enthusiasts, multilingual communities, and marginalized groups through 70+ shows in nearly 20 languages.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersBern, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Radio RaBe does
Radio RaBe (legal entity: Verein Radio Bern RaBe) is a member-owned, non-profit community radio station based in Bern, Switzerland, operating since 1986 from Sulgenrain 28. It delivers 24-hour commercial-free programming on 95.6 FM and via internet streaming, featuring over 70 distinct shows in nearly 20 languages spanning Hip Hop, Tango, Metal, Reggae, Grindcore, classical, and queer literature. The station is financed through a hybrid model combining tiered association memberships (CHF 75–2,000 annually across reduced, standard, family, gold, and patron tiers), a share of BAKOM federal radio reception fees allocated to Swiss community broadcasters, project grants from foundations such as Stiftung Radio und Kultur Schweiz and Swissperform, sponsorships, and cultural event revenue.
The programming portfolio includes core FM broadcast, Festivalradio Musikdorf Ernen (classical and chamber music festival coverage), QUEERUP RADIO (LGBTIQ+ programming since 2003), Radio loco-motivo (a program by and for people with psychiatric experience, co-developed with Radioschule klipp+klang and IGS Bern), multilingual community shows such as Enlazados (Spanish) and Arabesque (Arabic), and on-demand podcasts distributed via Spotify and Mixcloud. Operations are supported by approximately 35 paid staff and nearly 200 volunteer contributors, with no traditional CEO or top-down hierarchy — decisions are made collectively by members under a flat governance model. The station has received the Integrationspreis (2004), Kulturpreis des Kantons Bern (2011), Prix Printemps and Prix Perspectives (2015, for Radio loco-motivo), and Sozialpreis der Stadt Bern (2017).
The technology stack is conventional broadcast and web infrastructure: FM transmission on 95.6 MHz, internet streaming, a website (rabe.ch) built and maintained by Gloschli - Aarefabrik GmbH, hosting by Exoscale (Lausanne), newsletter distribution via Rapidmail (France) and Fairgate AG (Effretikon), and payment processing through PayPal. There is no proprietary AI/ML component; all programming and editorial decisions are human-curated. Customer reach is structurally diversified: 1,000+ paying members, regional FM listeners in the Bern area, and a global streaming audience served by the on-demand podcast footprint.
Radio RaBe firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Radio RaBe
- Legal name
- Verein Radio Bern RaBe
- Website
- https://rabe.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Radio RaBe is a member-owned, non-profit community radio station in Bern, Switzerland, broadcasting commercial-free programming on 95.6 FM and online. It serves music enthusiasts, multilingual communities, and marginalized groups through 70+ shows in nearly 20 languages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Radio RaBe industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains) (MPABACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)
Keywords
Where Radio RaBe is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bern
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Radio RaBe business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Over 1000 association members pay annual fees ranging from CHF 75 (reduced) to CHF 2000 (patron). These membership contributions form a major part of financing.
- BAKOM Radio Reception Fees: Receives a share of Swiss federal radio reception fees (BAKOM) allocated to community radio stations.
- Project Grants and Sponsoring: Funding from project-specific grants and sponsorship arrangements.
- Cultural Events: Revenue from cultural events organized by the station.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Vergünstigt - Reduced membership for students, seniors (AHV/IV), and culture card holders |
| Subscription | Annual | Standard Annual Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Family/WG Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Gold Member |
| Subscription | Annual | Gönner*in - Patron/Supporter |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Show/Program Support |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Radio RaBe product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Radio RaBe operates a community radio station delivering 24-hour commercial-free audio programming on FM 95.6 in Bern, Switzerland, and via internet streaming. The station produces over 70 distinct shows spanning diverse music genres and cultural content in nearly 20 languages, operated by nearly 200 volunteer contributors and financed primarily through membership fees, Swiss federal radio reception fees (BAKOM), and project grants.
Product overview
Radio RaBe (Radio Bern) is a community radio station offering a unified broadcasting platform with multiple program modules. The core product is 24-hour commercial-free FM and online radio broadcasting on 95.6 FM. The portfolio includes specialized sub-programs such as Festivalradio Musikdorf Ernen (classical/baroque music festival coverage), QUEERUP RADIO (LGBTIQ+ community programming since 2003), Radio loco-motivo (psychiatric experience-focused programming), Rhythm & Blues Juke Box (weekly R&B show), Enlazados (Spanish-language content), and Arabesque (Arabic-language programming). Additional services include membership programs with partner discounts, on-demand podcast distribution via Spotify and Mixcloud, and educational/training programs for media skills.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Radio Broadcasting Services 24-hour commercial-free radio programming broadcast on FM 95.6 in Bern and via online streaming. Features diverse music selections and cultural programs in multiple languages across 70+ shows. Targeted at individual listeners in the Bern region and globally via internet streaming.
- Festivalradio Musikdorf Ernen Festival radio program covering the Musikdorf Ernen music festival in the Valais mountain village, featuring piano, baroque, and chamber music concerts, as well as queer literature readings. For listeners interested in classical and contemporary music festivals.
- QUEERUP RADIO LGBTIQ+ community radio program airing Sundays 19:00–21:00 since 2003 (formerly GAYRADIO until 2019). Includes formats like gayPop, Mia's queer Welt, String Talk, Que(e)rBeet, and Queer durch die Musik. For LGBTIQ+ community members and allies seeking dedicated queer media programming.
- Radio loco-motivo Radio program by and for people with psychiatric experience, part of the leisure offerings of Interessengemeinschaft Sozialpsychiatrie IGS Bern. Created in collaboration with Radioschule klipp+klang. Provides a platform for people with psychiatric experience to voice their experiences.
- Rhythm & Blues Juke Box Freitag Weekly Rhythm and Blues show airing Fridays at 17:00, covering Jump Blues, Boogie Woogie, Rock'n'roll, Soul, Funk, Ska, Rap and Hip-Hop genres. For listeners interested in rhythm and blues music heritage and adjacent genres.
- Enlazados Spanish-language entertainment program for Spanish-speaking listeners, airing every second Tuesday 19:00–20:00 on 95.6 FM and online. Targeted at the Spanish-speaking community in Bern and Switzerland.
- Arabesque Arabic-language culture and society program airing every second Sunday of the month 14:00–15:00, featuring music from the Arab world, literary presentations, and interviews. For Arabic-speaking listeners in Bern and Switzerland.
- Membership Program Annual membership program with tiered pricing: CHF 75 (reduced for students, retirees, Kulturlegi holders), CHF 150 (standard), CHF 250 (family/WG), CHF 500 (Gold), CHF 2,000 (patron). Includes Member Card with partner discounts at venues like Gaskessel, Apfelgold, and Voodoo Rhythm. For supporters who wish to financially sustain independent community radio.
Companies that use Radio RaBe
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Radio RaBe technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Radio RaBe partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Gloschli - Aarefabrik GmbHcoreResponsible for conception and programming of the radio station's website (rabe.ch). Website development and technical maintenance partner.
- ExoscalecoreHosting provider with headquarters in Lausanne. Provides web hosting services for rabe.ch websites, storing access data including IP addresses and browser information.
- Radioschule klipp+klangcoreRadio school that collaborated with Radio RaBe to establish Radio loco-motivo, giving voice to people with psychiatric experience in Switzerland on a long-term basis.
- Interessengemeinschaft Sozialpsychiatrie IGS BerncoreIGS Bern hosts Radio loco-motivo as part of its leisure program. Provides institutional support for the show by and for people with psychiatric experience.
- GaskesselminorConcert venue partner offering 33% discount on all tickets for RaBe members. Cross-promotional relationship.
- ApfelgoldminorVenue partner offering 20% discount on all in-house consumptions for RaBe members.
- Voodoo RhythmminorMusic store partner offering 20% discount for RaBe members in their hardware store.
- Musikdorf ErnencoreFestival in the Valais mountain village producing piano, baroque, and chamber music concerts plus queer literature readings. RaBe provides festival radio coverage and broadcasts.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Radio RaBe competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Radio RaBe social profiles
Digital presenceRadio RaBe financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Radio RaBe leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Radio RaBe funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Radio RaBe M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Radio RaBe
What does Radio RaBe do?
Radio RaBe operates a community radio station delivering 24-hour commercial-free audio programming on FM 95.6 in Bern, Switzerland, and via internet streaming. The station produces over 70 distinct shows spanning diverse music genres and cultural content in nearly 20 languages, operated by nearly 200 volunteer contributors and financed primarily through membership fees, Swiss federal radio reception fees (BAKOM), and project grants.
Is Radio RaBe a public or private company?
Radio RaBe is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Radio RaBe founded?
Radio RaBe was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Radio RaBe based?
Radio RaBe is headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Radio RaBe make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are BAKOM Radio Reception Fees, project Grants and Sponsoring and cultural Events.
Does Radio RaBe have an API?
No public API is recorded for Radio RaBe.
What industry is Radio RaBe in?
Radio RaBe's product category is Community Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABACAC, Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains), with a secondary code of MPAIAEAE, Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only). Its NAICS code is 516110 and its SIC code is 4832.