SwissMediaCast AG

What SwissMediaCast AG does

SwissMediaCast AG is a Zürich-headquartered Swiss broadcasting infrastructure operator specializing in DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) terrestrial radio networks. Founded in 2009, the company operates the largest DAB+ footprint in Switzerland, running six multiplex networks that cover German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino and carry 45 radio stations — five belonging to public broadcaster SRG SSR and 40 private operators. By mid-2026, the platform will be supported by 184 transmitters, including dedicated winter-season coverage for Graubünden tourist markets such as Klosters, Davos, Arosa, and Lenzerheide. The firm is privately held, structured as an Aktiengesellschaft (AG), and operates with a lean team of approximately seven employees, reflecting the high fixed-cost, capital-intensive nature of transmission infrastructure.

The company's core product is the DAB+ multiplex — a shared digital transmission channel that aggregates multiple radio programs onto a single transmitter footprint. SwissMediaCast builds, operates, and maintains the transmission sites, antenna infrastructure, and multiplexing technology that allow broadcasters to reach listeners across Switzerland's challenging alpine topography without each station having to deploy its own network. Revenue is generated through carriage/lease fees paid by broadcasters for inclusion on its multiplexes; specific pricing is not publicly disclosed. The business model is a B2B infrastructure-services play tied directly to the Swiss federal policy of migrating radio distribution from FM to DAB+, which structurally expands the addressable market as remaining FM broadcasters are required to move to digital. Leadership transitioned in 2026, with Paul Frutiger appointed CEO, succeeding Bernhard Schmid.

Name

SwissMediaCast AG

Legal name

SwissMediaCast AG

Website

https://swissmediacast.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SwissMediaCast AG operates Switzerland's largest DAB+ digital radio transmission network, running six multiplexes with 184 transmitters that carry 45 public and private radio stations across German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Radio Broadcasting Infrastructure

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Radio Broadcasting (DAB/DAB+, HD Radio) (MPAIAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Broadcast Transmission & Operations Services (Transmitters, Towers, Playout, Engineering) (MPAIAEAJ)

Keywords

• DAB+ broadcasting
• Digital radio networks
• Terrestrial radio infrastructure
• Radio transmission services
• Broadcast network operator

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. DAB+ Network Broadcasting Services: SwissMediaCast operates DAB+ broadcasting networks that deliver radio programs to end listeners. The company serves as the largest DAB+ operator in Switzerland, providing network infrastructure to 45 radio stations including 5 SRG programs and 40 private radio stations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

SwissMediaCast AG operates six regional DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) networks that deliver digital radio signals across German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino. The infrastructure carries 45 radio stations — 5 SRG programs and 40 private stations — via 184 transmitters, providing interference-free, high-quality digital audio plus additional data services (text and images) to listeners. Customers are radio broadcasters who contract the company for managed network broadcasting services.

Product overview

SwissMediaCast AG operates a unified DAB+ digital radio broadcasting infrastructure consisting of six regional networks (Deutschschweiz, Bern-Freiburg, Nordschweiz, Ostschweiz, Oberwallis, and Tessin) that collectively broadcast 45 radio stations (5 SRG programs and 40 private stations) via 184 transmitters. The company's core service is digital terrestrial radio transmission using the DAB+ standard, which provides superior audio quality, expanded program selection, and additional data services such as text and images compared to traditional FM radio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DAB+ Network Broadcasting Services Managed DAB+ digital radio broadcasting infrastructure across six regional networks in Switzerland, carrying 45 radio stations (5 SRG and 40 private) via 184 transmitters for public and private radio broadcasters.
• Deutschschweiz DAB+ Network Language-regional DAB+ network providing coverage across all of German-speaking Switzerland.
• Bern-Freiburg DAB+ Network Regional DAB+ network covering Biel, Bern, Freiburg, Olten, and the Berner Oberland areas.
• Nordschweiz DAB+ Network Regional DAB+ network covering Basel, Zürich, Luzern, and Chur areas.
• Ostschweiz DAB+ Network Regional DAB+ network covering Schaffhausen, Winterthur, St. Gallen, Appenzell, and Rheintal areas.
• Oberwallis DAB+ Network Regional DAB+ network providing coverage in the Upper Valais (Oberwallis) region.
• Tessin DAB+ Network Regional DAB+ network providing coverage across Ticino, including complete coverage along the A2 Basel-Chiasso and A13 San Bernardino-Chiasso motorways.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• DAB Plattform Austria: DAB Plattform Austria is the industry body coordinating DAB+ rollout in Austria with associated transmission network operators. Comparable to SwissMediaCast's role within Switzerland as a DAB+ ecosystem coordinator, though it operates as a marketing/coordination entity rather than a transmission owner.

Broad incumbents

• TDF (France): TDF is France's leading broadcast tower and transmission infrastructure operator providing DAB+ and DTT services. Comparable to SwissMediaCast as a managed-services broadcast transmission provider serving both public and private radio broadcasters across a national footprint.
• Arqiva: Arqiva is the UK's leading broadcast infrastructure provider operating DAB digital radio networks, television and radio transmission towers. It is directly comparable to SwissMediaCast as a managed-services broadcast transmission operator whose primary customer base is radio and TV broadcasters needing DAB and other transmission coverage.

Regional players

• Swisscom Broadcast: Swisscom Broadcast operates DAB+ networks in Romandie (French-speaking Switzerland), the Swiss region where SwissMediaCast has no presence. It is a direct infrastructure peer within Switzerland, complementing rather than overlapping SwissMediaCast's German-speaking and Ticino coverage.

Others

• SRG SSR: SRG SSR is Switzerland's national public broadcaster and SwissMediaCast's largest single customer, with all 5 SRG radio programs carried on SwissMediaCast networks. It is relevant as both a key customer and as the dominant counterparty whose strategic decisions shape demand for SwissMediaCast's infrastructure.

Direct peers

• ORS (Austrian Broadcasting Services): ORS operates Austria's national DAB+ pilot networks and broadcast transmission infrastructure for ORF and private radio stations. Comparable to SwissMediaCast as a national-scale DAB+ transmission operator in another German-speaking Alpine market.
• Norkring: Norkring operates Norway's DAB and DVB broadcasting networks on behalf of public and commercial broadcasters, providing managed transmission services across multiple regions. Comparable to SwissMediaCast as a multi-network DAB transmission operator serving 40+ radio stations in a regulated national digital radio market.
• DAB Italia: DAB Italia is the consortium building and operating DAB+ networks across Italy, providing digital radio transmission services to broadcasters. It mirrors SwissMediaCast's role as a DAB+ infrastructure operator delivering coverage across a national footprint for multiple radio brands.
• Media Broadcast (Germany): Media Broadcast operates Germany's national DAB+ transmission networks on behalf of public and private broadcasters, including Deutschlandradio and many private stations. It is the closest direct peer to SwissMediaCast, running multi-region DAB+ infrastructure under a managed-services model in a neighboring German-speaking market.
• Bayern Digital Radio (BDR): BDR operates regional DAB+ networks in Bavaria and parts of Germany, providing managed digital radio transmission services to private and public broadcasters. Comparable to SwissMediaCast's regional-network model across Bern-Freiburg, Nordschweiz, Ostschweiz, Oberwallis, and Tessin.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swissmediacast

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 SwissMediaCast AG