Observed Signal · May 28, 2026 · M&A · Source: persoenlich.com News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
SRG sells RTS tower for CHF 150M
The Swiss public broadcaster SRG has sold its prominent RTS tower in Geneva for 150 million Swiss francs to the Hans‑Wilsdorf‑Stiftung, the foundation that owns Rolex. SRG expects a book profit of roughly 100 million francs in the current financial year from the transaction. RTS will remain the tower's main tenant and continue operations in Geneva, with plans for a new video production centre. The Canton of Geneva initiated the redevelopment; the site is intended to become a hub for media, research and civic initiatives with tenants including Le Temps, Heidi.news and the think‑tank Prospera. Property management will be handled by the newly founded Focus, Fondation La Tour en Communs, while the land remains owned by the Canton of Geneva. SRG says the sale will help finance its transformation programme “Enavant” amid funding pressure from a federal reduction in the media fee.
A notable national media asset sale that provides SRG with substantial one-time proceeds and supports its transformation programme, but it is a regional media real-estate transaction with limited direct impact on the global AdTech/MarTech ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Schweizerische Radio- und Fernsehgesellschaft (SRG) sold the RTS tower in Geneva for 150 million Swiss francs.
- Buyer: Hans‑Wilsdorf‑Stiftung (owner of Rolex).
- SRG expects a book gain of around 100 million Swiss francs in the current financial year from the sale.
- RTS remains the tower's main tenant; plans include a new video production centre and continued RTS presence in Geneva.
- Property management will be done by the new foundation Focus, Fondation La Tour en Communs; the land remains owned by the Canton of Geneva.
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SRG Cuts 2027 Savings Target to CHF 80M
Swiss public broadcaster SRG has reduced its required 2027 savings from CHF 125 million to CHF 80 million, while preserving an overall CHF 270 million savings target through 2029 after a lowered government media levy. SRG told staff the lower 2027 figure reflects stricter hiring freezes and stabilised commercial revenues. The broadcaster estimates 257–316 full-time positions will be cut by end‑2027, with a further ~300 cuts by 2029, adding to 300 roles cut previously for a total of about 900. The largest single saving (CHF 35.2m) comes from simplifying leadership structures, including optimising real estate and moving the directorate to Bern. SRG will stop airing the UEFA Champions League from the 2027/28 season and exit technical/audiovisual production of certain hockey and UEFA European Cup matches after contracts expire in summer 2027. Union SSM cited SRG balance-sheet strength (CHF 528m equity) and an expected ~CHF 100m book profit from selling the RTS tower, and urged avoiding dismissals through natural attrition and retraining.
RTS Studio Move to EPFL Enters Final Phase
RTS is moving major TV and radio production operations into its new Lausanne‑Ecublens production campus at EPFL. The site — officially opened in November 2025 — will gradually consolidate TV teams from Geneva and radio teams from La Sallaz. Radio bulletins and the programmes Forum and La Matinale are scheduled to relocate by June 2026; the main TV news programme 19h30 will move by the end of November 2026. The complex houses studios for public events, a large central newsroom and public facilities. Total investment was CHF 165 million, funded largely through property sales from RTS’s real estate portfolio.
RTS Stops Broadcasting from Historic La Sallaz Studio
RTS ended live radio transmissions from the historic Maison de la Radio in Lausanne’s La Sallaz district on 29 June 2026; the final on‑air moment concluded at 12:06 CET. The 1935-built complex was sold by RTS to the Canton of Vaud for CHF 55 million. Most of the roughly 600 staff who worked at La Sallaz have already moved to RTS’s new main radio site in Ecublens next to the EPFL campus; the first programs from Ecublens began airing in November. On-air farewells were led by journalists including Sandra Viscardi and Blandine Levite, and RTS director Pascal Crittin appeared on the final edition of Forum. Employees expressed concern that cost-saving measures could reduce technical staffing, while RTS’s media office said control rooms will remain and some programmes can be produced in a self-operated mode. The Canton’s education department is planned to move into the La Sallaz building.
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