Observed Signal · Aug 15, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: persoenlich.com News · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Meier + Cie Chief Backs Indirect Media Subsidies
Marcel Kohler, chairman of the Meier media house (Meier + Cie AG), discusses the fragile financial position of his company and regional media in an interview. He says Meier-Medienhaus remains profitable but with low earnings and notes Schaffhauser Fernsehen found sponsors after a recent rescue effort, though its long-term prospects are uncertain. Kohler, while skeptical of subsidies as a liberal, supports indirect media funding for Schaffhausen that excludes editorial interference and welcomes two postulates submitted to the cantonal council. He also cites a CHF 480,000 contribution for Schaffhausen from the Gebert Rüf Foundation via the Windler Foundation and warns that the majority owner, the Carl Oechslin Foundation, lacks substantial funds to cover recurring losses.
Regional Swiss media funding and publisher financial health are relevant to local publisher sustainability but have limited direct impact on the wider AdTech/MarTech industry.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Marcel Kohler is chairman (Verwaltungsratspräsident) of the Meier media house (Meier + Cie AG).
- Kohler says Meier-Medienhaus is profitable but only at a low earnings level.
- Schaffhauser Fernsehen found some sponsors after a recent rescue action, but its sustainable future remains uncertain.
- Kohler supports an indirect form of media funding for the canton of Schaffhausen and welcomes two postulates submitted to the cantonal council.
- The Gebert Rüf Foundation, via the Windler Foundation, has allocated a contribution of CHF 480,000 for Schaffhausen; the Carl Oechslin Foundation, majority shareholder of Meier-Medienhaus, does not have substantial financial resources.
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Meier + Cie: Siegrist Urges Media Funding Measures
On 22 August 2026 Nina Siegrist, Chair of the Executive Board at Meier + Cie. AG, published an open appeal asking for cantonal support for the Schaffhausen media market and a one‑off CHF 30,000 Lotteriefonds contribution for Schaffhauser Fernsehen. She backs two motions before the cantonal council — the Lotteriefonds payment and a roundtable of politics, business and media to develop longer‑term measures. Siegrist says the local broadcaster currently survives through ten private supporters covering an annual deficit (~CHF 50,000) and highlights an independent measurement of about 34,000 daily viewers. She attributes the sector crisis to structural change and ad spend shifting to US platforms, notes reliance on the Carl Oechslin Foundation and media funds, and points to a regional proposal to test tax privileges for advertising. A week earlier Marcel Kohler had made similar calls.
Roundtable to Tackle Schaffhausen Media Crisis
The Cantonal Council of Schaffhausen has demanded a round table to address the crisis facing regional media caused by falling advertising revenues and competition from global tech companies. The motion was declared significant by the council with 40 votes for, 7 against and 5 abstentions; it was submitted by Linda De Ventura (SP) and Markus Müller (SVP). The cantonal government said it is willing to engage but is critical of direct cantonal media subsidies because of media independence and competition-law concerns. The executive is open to examining indirect support measures and will present a report to the Cantonal Council outlining possible instruments and, if necessary, proposed legal changes.
Schawinski Urges Aid for Swiss Local Media
Roger Schawinski, founder of Radio 1, warns in a guest essay for the NZZ that Swiss local and regional media face an existential crisis as advertising revenues have collapsed. He says online advertising now yields only about 5% of former print revenues, paywalls have had little effect, free local papers have disappeared and consolidation in radio has thinned offerings. Schawinski calls on cantons, foundations and private patrons to provide targeted support for local media before regional outlets vanish; he notes some western cantons (Fribourg, Vaud, Geneva) already subsidize regional media. As an example, he reports Radio 1 now brings in about CHF 2.4 million annually and that he has not taken a salary as managing director.
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