Observed Signal · Oct 22, 2026 · Restructuring · Source: persoenlich.com News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Energy Swiss Radio Group Plans Up to 15 Job Cuts
The Swiss radio group Energy, owned by Ringier, announced on October 22, 2026, plans to cut up to 15 jobs due to pressure on advertising revenues. The group, which broadcasts from Zurich, Bern, and Basel since early 2026 after closing stations in St. Gallen and Lucerne, cited stable listener numbers but declining ad income. The exact number of redundancies will depend on a consultation process with employees, which allows proposals to avoid or mitigate layoffs. The company plans to streamline administrative tasks, internal processes, and editorial structures, with program adjustments also under consideration. Currently, Energy is led ad interim by Alexander Theobald, who took over after CEO Kevin Gander left in June 2026. The announcement follows a previous restructuring that saw five job losses from the station closures.
Job cuts at a Swiss radio group reflect ongoing pressure on traditional media advertising revenues, relevant to the AdTech ecosystem as it indicates shifts in ad spend away from linear channels.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Energy group Switzerland plans to cut up to 15 jobs due to pressure on advertising revenues.
- The announcement was made on October 22, 2026, and employees were informed at an internal event.
- A consultation process with employees will determine the exact number of redundancies.
- The company will review bundling administrative tasks, streamlining internal processes, and making newsrooms more efficient.
- Stations in St. Gallen and Lucerne were closed at the end of 2025, leading to five job losses.
Connected Companies & Entities
1 Entity mapped“The station group belonging to Ringier announced the job cuts.”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
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SRF Job Cuts Hit News Division Hardest
Swiss public broadcaster SRG, including SRF, RTS, and RSI, is implementing significant cost-saving measures under its 'Enavant' program, driven by a government-mandated reduction in media license fees. SRG will cut over 20% of positions across its top three management levels and save 80 million francs in 2027, contributing to a total of 270 million francs in savings by 2029. SRF will eliminate 38 full-time positions and save 9.7 million francs by 2027, with the Information department facing the largest cuts. RTS unveiled cuts of CHF 8.1 million and 25 full-time positions, also leveraging synergies with other language regions. RSI must save CHF 3.4 million, cutting 8 to 12 jobs mostly through natural turnover and early retirement. All broadcasters will increase AI-assisted production, focus on streaming, and intensify content exchange. Specific program impacts will be announced by regional broadcasters at separate events.
SRG to cut nearly 300 jobs by 2027
Swiss public broadcaster SRG has finalized its 2027 savings package, eliminating 202 full-time positions in operations and support areas. Combined with earlier announced cuts in regional units, this totals around 285-289 job cuts for 2027. The operations area, covering technology and production departments across all language regions, will lose 173 positions, saving CHF 30.7 million annually. Support areas (HR, finance, communications, staff) will cut 29 positions, saving CHF 10.7 million. About half of the reductions will be through natural turnover and retirements, but layoffs and early retirements are unavoidable. The broadcaster aims to save CHF 80 million annually by 2027 and CHF 270 million by 2029 due to reduced license fee income. The savings stem from organizational changes, bundling competencies, and harmonizing IT services.
Energy Switzerland CEO Kevin Gander Leaves Immediately
Kevin Gander has left Energy Group Switzerland with immediate effect after about one and a half years as CEO and Chief Radio Officer. Gander took over the role on 1 December 2024 from Pascal Frei; the company said differing views on the group's long-term direction led to the split. Alexander Theobald, chairman of the board and a Ringier manager, will take over operational leadership ad interim. During Gander’s tenure the group reorganised its management, revised radio and music programming and its events portfolio, and closed the stations Energy St. Gallen and Energy Luzern at the end of 2025 (affecting ten employees). The group now concentrates on Basel, Bern and Zurich. Gander said he will pursue other activities.
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