Observed Signal · Jul 20, 2026 · Potential Closure / Cessation · Source: persoenlich.com News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Ex-editor warns SonntagsBlick may close
Peter Rothenbühler, who edited SonntagsBlick in the 1980s and later Le Matin Dimanche, told the NZZ the Sunday paper’s days in its current form are likely numbered. He frames the problem chiefly as economic, pointing to high Sunday distribution costs, and recalls the title’s rise and the severe reputational damage from the Borer affair. The article notes reporting by Republik that SonntagsBlick could be definitively discontinued by year-end; Ringier says in an internal letter it is assessing a move to Saturday publication and a possible name change but denies a decided closure. CEO Marc Walder previously argued that in a digital future only media with very high reach or exclusive niches will survive. Founded in 1969, the paper once reached about 400,000 in circulation.
Potential closure or major relaunch of a prominent Swiss Sunday newspaper affects publisher inventory, advertising reach and signals structural challenges for print monetization in the Swiss media market.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Peter Rothenbühler, former SonntagsBlick editor (1980s), told the NZZ the paper’s days in its current form are likely numbered.
- Rothenbühler attributes the decline mainly to economics, highlighting high distribution costs for Sunday newspapers.
- Republik reported a definitive shutdown by year-end; Ringier says it is reviewing a switch to Saturday publication and a possible name change but denies an outright closure.
- SonntagsBlick was founded in 1969 and at its peak had circulation near 400,000.
- The Borer affair inflicted major reputational damage—prompting a front-page apology, compensation and a leave for Frank A. Meyer—while CEO Marc Walder warned only very large-reach or exclusive-niche media will thrive digitally.
Connected Companies & Entities
4 Entities mapped“Peter Rothenbühler, who led the paper in the 1980s, comments in the NZZ on the future of his former paper SonntagsBlick....”
“Ringier confirmed the next day in an internal letter that it was examining Saturday delivery and a name change, but denied a definitive 'out...”
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Ringier reportedly to end SonntagsBlick
Ringier Medien Schweiz has denied reports that it will discontinue SonntagsBlick, saying in an internal memo the title will remain an independent weekend editorial product while the publisher considers operational changes. Internally, Ringier is studying whether to move delivery from Sunday to Saturday and possibly rename the title depending on the delivery day, but says no final decision or immediate timetable has been set. Earlier reporting by CH Media and SRF, and an internal memo seen by Keystone-SDA, flagged studies into earlier production/delivery, potential consolidation with Blick’s Saturday edition and non-disclosure agreements among participants. Digital outlet Republik had reported the paper would be discontinued by end-2026; Ringier contradicts that. Founded in 1969, SonntagsBlick has a circulation of about 75,000, and any shift off Sunday could change cost-sharing arrangements with SonntagsZeitung and NZZ am Sonntag.
Ringier replaces SonntagsBlick with 'Blick fürs Wochenende'
Ringier has announced that its Sunday newspaper SonntagsBlick, which has been published since 1969, will be discontinued. Starting January 9, 2027, it will be replaced by a new Saturday edition called 'Blick fürs Wochenende'. The separate Saturday edition of Blick will be merged into this new 96-page weekend publication, which will be published in two sections. The move comes as Swiss print advertising revenue has fallen sharply, from 1.5 billion Swiss francs in 2014 to 600 million today. No job cuts are planned, and the editorial team will remain at its current strength. The last edition of SonntagsBlick will appear on December 27, 2026.
SonntagsBlick competitors stick to Sunday print
Ringier is set to unveil the 'next chapter' of its Sunday newspaper SonntagsBlick, with speculation of a move to Saturday delivery. Competitors Tamedia and NZZ, publishers of SonntagsZeitung and NZZ am Sonntag respectively, reaffirm their commitment to Sunday as a publication day. They cite reader demand for in-depth journalism on weekends and see no need to change their print schedules. The potential exit of SonntagsBlick from Sunday delivery would increase distribution costs for the remaining two titles, as they share the costs of early-morning delivery via Presto Presse-Vertriebs AG. Both competitors acknowledge declining readership but remain confident in the future of Sunday print.
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