CH Media vs Tamedia

CH Media launches video podcast with three comedians

Swiss media company CH Media is launching a new video podcast titled "Hesch ghört?" on October 28, featuring comedians Charles Nguela, Julia Steiner, and Joël von Mutzenbecher. The bi-weekly show will cover current affairs, from political debates to social media trends and sports. Episodes will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and CH Media's streaming service Oneplus, as well as on the news portal Schweiz heute and regional CH Media news portals. Distribution and marketing are handled by CH Media Mind, while the Zurich-based agency Büro Sturmfrei is responsible for concept and production. A potential advertising partner to co-finance the format has not yet been confirmed.

• CH Media launches video podcast 'Hesch ghört?' on October 28, 2026.
• Hosts are comedians Charles Nguela, Julia Steiner, and Joël von Mutzenbecher.
• Episodes will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Oneplus.

«Schweiz am Wochenende» bleibt die grösste Zeitung der Schweiz

According to MACH Basic, CH Media's Saturday title «Schweiz am Wochenende» reaches 977,000 readers per issue, making it Switzerland's most widely read newspaper and giving it an 18% net reach in German-speaking Switzerland. The regional newspaper alliances «Nordwestschweiz» (295,000 readers), «Luzerner Zeitung» (235,000), and «St. Galler Tagblatt» (209,000) remain among the seven most-read daily newspaper brands. Since 2026, «Der Rheintaler» and «Rheintalische Volkszeitung» are no longer included in the readership figures for «St. Galler Tagblatt» or «Schweiz am Wochenende».

• CH Media's Saturday title «Schweiz am Wochenende» reaches 977,000 readers per issue, making it the most widely read newspaper in Switzerland.
• The title has a net reach of 18 percent of the population in German-speaking Switzerland.
• «Nordwestschweiz» ranks second among daily newspapers with 295,000 readers, «Luzerner Zeitung» fifth with 235,000, and «St. Galler Tagblatt» seventh with 209,000.

CH Media übernimmt «Radio Swiss Pop»

CH Media übernimmt «Radio Swiss Pop» (17. September 2026). Zudem: Zwei Tage Festivalfieber und beste Stimmung am Argovia Fäscht 2026 (6. September 2026) und CH Media bündelt ihre acht nationalen Free-TV-Sender unter der Marke 3+ (27. August 2026).

Tamedia job cuts exceed announced figures

Tamedia's editorial director Simon Bärtschi confirmed that the announced job cuts do not include all positions being eliminated. In an SRF media talk, he stated that vacant positions will only be replaced if they are central to the editorial DNA. The company announced 41 layoffs (34 full-time equivalents), but critics say the real reduction is larger because many positions have remained unfilled since 2024. Bärtschi defended the strategy, rejecting cross-subsidization from profitable TX Group platforms, and left open the future of the last print center after 2034.

• Tamedia announced 41 layoffs and 34 full-time positions will be cut.
• Editorial director Simon Bärtschi confirmed that unfilled positions beyond those announced will not be replaced unless essential.
• Around 400 people protested outside Tamedia's Zurich headquarters on Tuesday.

Tamedia Journalist's Layoff Video Goes Viral

Rafael Zeier, a long-time digital editor at Swiss publisher Tamedia, publicly announced his dismissal in an eight-minute YouTube video, which quickly gained around 9,000 views and 1,000 comments within four hours. Zeier, who joined Tamedia in 2011, was affected by the company's latest round of layoffs, which eliminates 34 full-time positions. He filmed himself outside the Tamedia building before his termination meeting and documented the aftermath. While he expressed no bitterness towards the company's leadership, he acknowledged the broader media industry transformation driven by the internet and AI as inevitable. Zeier will remain employed for three months, after which a social plan applies. He intends to keep his YouTube channel as a hobby rather than turning it into a full-time job. The layoffs are part of Tamedia's cost-cutting measures due to changing media consumption and a shrinking advertising market.

• Tamedia is cutting 34 full-time positions, affecting 41 employees.
• Rafael Zeier's layoff video on YouTube received ~9,000 views and 1,000 comments within four hours.
• Zeier joined Tamedia in 2011 and worked as a digital editor since 2013.

Tamedia Management Stands Firm on Job Cuts

In a letter to employees, Tamedia's management, led by CEO Jessica Peppel-Schulz, reiterated its commitment to cutting 41 jobs (34 full-time positions, 30 in journalism) despite protests and criticism from editorial staff. The company cites significant pressure on the advertising market in both print and digital, as well as rapidly changing media consumption habits, as reasons for the restructuring. Management rejected claims of failing to engage in social dialogue, pointing to the social plan and negotiations with social partners, though union Syndicom disputes prior consultation. The editorial teams demand a halt to layoffs, a consultation process in German-speaking Switzerland, and leadership changes, but management has made no concessions. Tamedia says it will continue to invest in AI to automate standardized content, while emphasizing that human journalists remain responsible for quality journalism.

• Tamedia's management has confirmed plans to cut 41 jobs, including 34 full-time positions, with 30 in journalism.
• The announcement was made on October 5, 2026, and has triggered protests from editorial staff.
• Management cites pressure on the advertising market and changing media consumption as reasons for the cuts.