Television & Radio in Switzerland

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Television & Radio in Switzerland

The television transmission standard used in Switzerland is PAL. 

There are three main television/video standards in use throughout the world. 

• The system used in the US, Canada, Japan and some other countries is NTSC 
• Most of Western Europe (including Switzerland), Australasia and Southern Africa use PAL 
• Eastern Europe and France uses SECAM

These three standards are not compatible with each other. This means that a TV signal (or video) produced for one system cannot be transmitted on machinery that's been designed for another. 

A non-PAL compatible television in Switzerland will not receive a signal to transmit sound and picture. 

For a technical explanation of the PAL system and how it works see Wikipedia. (This includes a map showing which system is used where.)

Television

It is possible to access UK-based free-to-air (FTA) programming on the same satellite that broadcasts Sky Digital. Please note, however, that there is no legal way to access encrypted programming on that satellite while in Switzerland or France (such as Sky Digital's premium channels accessible only through a Sky subscription package, or those channels that may only be watched in the UK using a satellite receiver with a free-to-view - FTV - card installed).

• For a good (if not entirely comprehensive) list of what's on TV across Europe Click here.

Swiss Television

The SSG/SSR is the Swiss national public broadcaster. It provides two French-language TV channels, two Italian, three German and one channel in Romansch. These language channels are regional, available locally on terrestrial television but nationally on cable and DTH. 

Télévision Suisse Romande is based in Geneva, with offices across the country and serves the French speaking Swiss population. English-language programmes are available. Look for the sign "VO" (version originale, which means broadcast in the original language) in the listing or select from the Bicanal option.

The Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) handles all questions relating to telecommunications and broadcasting. It has a full list of the licensed television and radio broadcasters operating in Switzerland.

Radio & TV Licence Fees

An annual licence fee is payable to Billag, the collection agency for all television and radio registration fees. The radio licence fee is less than the television fee. Fees must be paid even if the only functioning radio is in the car, and any property with an ADSL or ISDN Internet connection is also eligible to pay the fee. 

Control checks can be made any time, and TV or radio users without a licence will be fined.

Registration can be made online by telephone or in writing. 

The OFCOM website has a comprehensive explanation of where and how to pay the registration licence fee: Click here (in English). 

• Billag SA
  At: Case postale, CH-1701 Fribourg 
  Tel: +41 (0)844 834 834
  Open: Monday to Friday 07:30 to 17:30
  e-mail
  Website
• To subscribe online: Click here (in French)

• Billag must be told of a change of address. This can be done online: Click here