WRS losing FM license and slated for Privatization wins «Radio of the Year» for the second year running
Geneva (ots)
World Radio Switzerland, the Anglophone broadcaster of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation was awarded Radio of the Year for French and Italian speaking Switzerland at the Swiss Radio Day on Thursday.
This is the second year in a row the station has received the award, based on Publica Data statistics showing the biggest increase in listenership for a radio station over a year: 130% between the last semesters of 2011 and 2012.
The news comes as World Radio Switzerland enters its last week as a public broadcaster. A privatization process initiated by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation resulted in the sale of some elements of the station to a private operator. In a related decision the Federal Office of Communications withdrew the FM license for WRS. All current staff have been made redundant.
The station in its current format plans its last broadcast for the 30th of August.
Commenting on the award, station manager Philippe Mottaz said "It's clearly a very bitter sweet moment as" next Friday WRS will cease to exist as a public service broadcaster".
Daniel Steiner, spokesperson for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation congratulated WRS on its "excellent result" but added "this result and this award would not have changed to the decision to pass WRS into private hands".
Contact:
Philippe Mottaz, Director
Mobile: 079 870 3415
Paige Revillard, dep. Director
Mobile: 079 527 6166