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New radio station goes on air

Switzerland's newest radio station has gone on air, with a variety of music, from pop to "oldies" of the 1960s. The station - "24 plus" - is the latest offering from Zurich media magnate, Roger Schawinski (file picture), owner of Radio 24 and Tele 24.

Switzerland’s newest radio station has gone on air, broadcasting a wide variety of music, from pop and rock to “oldies” from the 1960s. The station – “24 plus” – is the latest offering from Zurich media magnate, Roger Schawinski (file picture), who owns Radio 24 and Tele 24.

Switzerland’s latest private radio station aims to tap into the “nostalgia niche” by broadcasting hit tunes from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

It will divide its output into two segments. During the day, it’ll broadcast pop and rock hits from the 70s and 80s, as well as “oldies” from the 60s. In the evening, jazz, soul and funk will dominate the line-up. The company sees as its core audience the age group from 35 and older.

The music will be punctuated by short news bulletins, eight times a day during the week, and six times a day at the weekend.

The proprietor, Roger Schawinski, won the concession to start the new station last November, as part of the liberalisation of Switzerland’s media market.

The new station will be broadcast on cable, but during its first month, only listeners in Zurich, Sankt Gallen, Chur and Lucerne will be able to tune in. By the middle of year, it should be accessible in Thun and Biel. The rest of German Switzerland will have to wait until the end of the year to receive it.

The company predicts it will have three million listeners by the end of the year.

The launch comes just weeks after one of Switzerland’s newest private television stations, TV3, axed its news bulletins because of poor viewer numbers.

swissinfo and agencies

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