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As SRF has to save and at the same time align with digital channels, there will be a reduction of 5 percent. Additionally, SRF is canceling other shows and broadcasts.
New job profiles for SRF on the Internet: Prioritization of online channels leads to layoffs, retraining, and new appointments.
SRF is under double pressure: On the one hand, it has to save due to declining advertising revenue. On the other hand, it wants to reposition itself with online offers, which translates into a restructuring. On Tuesday, SRF Director Nathalie Wappler briefed the workforce on the concrete consequences. And these are powerful.
SRF will cut 211 full-time positions by the end of next year. That’s just under 10 percent of the 2,292 jobs currently available. However, as digital transformation requires new professional profiles, SRF also plans to create 95 new positions. Also, there should be at least 100 refresher courses. In the end, there is a 5 percent reduction in full-time positions.
To the extent possible, job cuts should occur through natural fluctuations, as well as early retirements and retirements. But there are also numerous layoffs, as SRF writes in a message. According to SRF’s latest estimate, 120 cancellations in two stages will be announced for next fall.
Upon request, Wappler declined to specify which areas are particularly affected by the layoffs. He referred to the ongoing consultation process with employees required by law in the event of mass layoffs. However, it is clear that jobs in the technical area, for example, should be lost thanks to automation.
On the other hand, SRF is likely to create new jobs in the area of social media or in the analysis of usage data. In the future, journalists should work more closely with experts in digital distribution and user analytics to reach the target audience as desired. Wappler also cited data journalism and graphics as examples where expansion is likely.
SRF cancels other shows after prime time
In terms of programming, SRF pursues two maxims: first, the focus on prime time, that is, the broadcast schedule with the most viewers, which is also the most attractive in terms of advertising revenue. And secondly, the streamlining of offerings for specialized subjects such as religion, literature or philosophy, which are often a unique selling point for SRF, but do not necessarily reach a wide audience.
At the end of August, SRF had already reported on the cancellation of several radio and television programs. The most prominent victim of the renovation at the time was the “Eco” business program, which is being replaced by cheaper talks. SRF has now announced the end of the evening show “Mini Schwiiz, dini Schwiiz”, which will be replaced by a similar format. The Basel Tattoo and the Monte Carlo Circus Festival will no longer be broadcast.
One possibility of recording the linear television program at low cost in off-peak hours is the so-called Visual Radio, that is, radio shows or podcasts that are filmed. According to Wappler, there is already a corresponding pilot for the radio show “Personal”. There are also considerations in the area of information or questionnaire formats, where, for example, the SRF3 program “3 auf Zwei” is already on the second television channel during off-peak hours.
In the area of religion and literature, SRF has announced further deletions. The religious programs “Zwischenhalt” and “Blickpunkt Religion” will no longer be broadcast on the radio. In addition, the range of literature on radio is being redesigned, which in concrete terms should result in savings. The “52 Best Books” and “Morning Story” programs are no longer available.
In general, the plans communicated so far suggest that there is a tendency to expand the information area. Wappler does not want to give exact figures on request, which departments have to save how much. But the top of SRF has repeatedly emphasized the importance of information provided internally.
The planned investigation table, which was announced in August, also aims to strengthen the information area. According to Wappler, this team will be, among other things, responsible for a new format entitled “Young and Researcher”, which will be launched next year.
Wappler is fundamentally changing SRF
Interestingly, most of the savings in SRF are not due to decreased advertising revenue. Because this part will only reach 16 million francs by 2022. SRF needs the much larger portion of 52 million francs for digital transformation as part of the “SRF 2024” project. A good half of that goes to developing distribution and technology. The smallest part in new concrete offers.
With the “SRF 2024” project, the new director of SRF, Nathalie Wappler, wants to steer SRF towards online channels. “Digital first” is the maxim. The reason for this radical restructuring, which also translates into a new organization chart, is the increase in the average age of the audience.
With its linear television and radio programming, SRF reaches fewer and fewer young people. This is why Wappler wants to target more and more audiences under 45 with “SRF 2024”. However, this prioritization of SRF online channels is likely to conflict with the current license.
As NZZ went public, SRF is also aiming with its new news app to reach half of all German-speaking Swiss every day, which, according to internal analysis, is only possible at the expense of offers from existing media. Meanwhile, MPs have also posed critical questions to the Federal Council about this troublesome expansion strategy.
All SRG must save
Last week, the SRG announced a 50 million Swiss franc austerity program for the four parts of the country. Of this, SRF represents 16 million. The reason for the additional savings is decreased advertising revenue. This has increased due to the corona pandemic, for example because cultural and sporting events had to be canceled or postponed.
However, the SRG does not mention that the Federal Council increased the SRG’s share of the radio and television rate in April due to the decrease in advertising revenue. In an expedited procedure without consultation, Media Minister Simonetta Sommaruga requested an increase of 50 million Swiss francs to a total of 1.25 billion Swiss francs, which the SRG receives annually.
