This is the story of a true radio oasis, a desert island filled with a symphony of voices, all speaking in different accents, yet united by one common thread: English. Founded on June 25, 1996 (my birthday), under the name World Radio Geneva (WRG), this station made its mark on Geneva as a major voice for the English-speaking community. Initially focused on a "US Top 40 friendly" format—essentially a blend of pop music and news—WRG quickly evolved into a reference point in the media landscape when it transformed into World Radio Switzerland (WRS) in 2007.

NASA Astronaut Steven Smith with WRS Alex Helmick

March 30th, 2011

During its six years of broadcasting, WRS aired iconic programs such as Not So Foreign Affairs (a geopolitical debate show featuring Stéphane Bussard and Daniel Warner from a Geneva perspective), Dig It (gardening), Food Scout (culinary exploration), The Connectors (expat advice), and Soundcheck (a showcase for indie music). The station also featured expert contributions like Gadget Guru (presented by collector Ian), and Susan Flory’s Buzz Band of the Week (Susan being a former journalist with the BBC and CBC). Jordan Davis offered gripping reports on topics ranging from the earthquake in Haiti to Swiss politics, always providing a Genevan lens for the former and an Anglo-American perspective for the latter.

From Geneva to All of Switzerland

Founded in Geneva in 1996 with ownership shared between the SSR SRG, Reuters, and the Journal de Genève, WRG established itself as a bridge between Geneva’s anglophone and local communities—a natural fit given the large English-speaking population in the region. In 2000, the BBC purchased Reuters’ shares, forming a new partnership (40% BBC, 40% SSR). In 2007, under the leadership of Armin Walpen (SSR-SRG Director) and Gérard Tschopp (RSR Director), WRG became WRS and expanded into a national station, broadcasting on DAB across Switzerland. Its public service mandate aimed to reach English-speaking expats and anglophiles throughout the country.

A Lemanic Success

Despite its solid roots among the English-speaking community around Lake Geneva, WRS struggled to gain traction nationally, particularly in German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino. In 2013, under the direction of Roger de Weck, the SSR withdrew from managing the station, selling it for a symbolic franc to Anglo Media Group and G Media, shifting it back to a more modest commercial model. Under Philippe Mottaz and Paige Holt’s leadership, WRS—during its SSR-SRG phase—enjoyed memorable moments, such as expat nights across Switzerland at the Pickwick Pub in Basel, Zurich, and Bern; hosting Julian Assange in Geneva; and coverage of the Swiss Music Awards on its morning shows (The National, presented by Mark Butcher and then Conor Lennon and Carla Drysdale).

WRS Concert with Toby May at the Ansermet auditorium

November 15th, 2012

One unforgettable highlight was Duran Duran’s intimate concert in Klosters, attended by special guests like Annie Lennox (of Eurythmics fame) and Zoe Ball (BBC Radio 2). As music director and occasional special correspondent for festivals, I had the opportunity to cultivate an adventurous playlist that embraced Swiss music in English (a common choice for contemporary Swiss bands), while forging connections with the Swiss and international music industries—particularly in the UK, US, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Our station resonated not only within the country but also in neighboring music scenes. We gave platforms to Geneva-based bands like Mama Rosin and Aloan, as well as Bienne’s Pegasus, along with leading figures in Swiss alternative music such as Sophie Hunger, My Heart Belongs to Cecilia Winter, Peter Kernel, and Liricas Analas.

Challenges and Unmet Ambitions

However, the SSR underestimated the effort required to turn WRS into a sustainable national channel, particularly in German-speaking Switzerland. Though merger projects with Swissinfo, inspired by the BBC World Service or RFI, were considered, they never materialized. Nonetheless, between 2012 and 2013, WRS increased its audience and was named Switzerland’s best radio station two years in a row at the Swiss Radio Days. A shift to a music format blending classic rock with Top 40 hits helped broaden its audience, guided by advice from German consultants who suggested songs that would appeal to German-speaking listeners. While this was a strategic triumph in terms of listenership, the internal atmosphere was more ambivalent, as producers, presenters, and journalists were less enthusiastic about the influx of 80s and 90s FM rock on a station that had prided itself on its modernity.

The Legacy of WRS

Figures such as Jackelyn Campo (former News presenter, now Senior Director, Global Corporate Communications at Nestlé Health Science), Jordan Davis (now a Washington correspondent for RTS), Helena Humphrey (BBC Washington correspondent), Jo Fahy (Head of Formats and Distribution at SWI swissinfo.ch), Alex Helmick (Managing editor at WABE Atlanta), Conor Lennon (UN communications officer in New York), Dave Goodman (Eurovision Song Contest Digital and Communications Manager), Amy Wong (EBU Head of Digital Strategy and Marketing), Matthew Trustram (EBU Head of Television) and Michèle Mischler (Head of Swiss Public Affairs and Sustainability at the World Economic Forum) among a few others all experienced key moments in their careers at WRS before moving on to rewarding international roles. The station also served as a launching pad for Swiss francophone talents like Delphine Sage, Chloé Din, and Marc Menichini, who worked primarily off-air in production and journalism before joining RTS Radio in Lausanne.

Signing Off by Lake Geneva

The final WRS evening at La Nautique in Geneva marked the bittersweet end of this radio adventure for many of my former colleagues. As for me, I had decided to move on to the regional radio group BNJ, continuing my exploration of Swiss media offerings. With Petula Clark’s "Downtown" closing the evening, WRS bowed out, transitioning into a private station named the same just hours later under the leadership of Mark Butcher (a former WRG and WRS host during the SSR-SRG era) and joined by a new radio personality, Katt Cullen. Though the station ceased to exist as a public broadcaster, WRS left a lasting legacy, particularly in promoting Swiss music in English and providing a unique platform for expats. For me, those four years from 2009 to 2013 remain etched in my memory as a period of great creativity and musical innovation across rock, pop, vocal jazz, and world music. My work today continues to resonate. At a recent concert at La Catalpa in Carouge, artists like Fai Baba, Long Tall Jefferson, and Paul Märki of Löwenzahnhonig still recalled the influence of WRS on their careers and those of their peers, who produced and promoted their music at radio stations and festivals across the country. Longtime station partners such as the distributor Irascible and the Lausanne-based label Two Gentlemen also contributed significantly to WRS’s success, helping to organize a memorable musical evening at the RTS Ernest Ansermet Auditorium (now the Geneva School of Contemporary Music).

David Glaser

1. Photo of WRS employees : Carla Drysdale, Adam Beaumont, Helena Humphrey, Isabelle Schön, Hansine Johnston (copyright World Radio Switzerland)
2. Photo of Alex Helmick and Steve Smith : copyright US Mission Geneva
3. Photo of WRS concert : copyright Toby May
4. Example of a playlist in 2012 : facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10...