Radiotelevisione svizzera

Radiotelevisione svizzera, also known as RSI, is the main broadcasting company for people who speak Italian in Switzerland. It is part of the larger Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and helps share news, shows, and other programs for Italian-speaking areas. RSI makes programs not just in Italian but also in Lombard, another language spoken in some parts of Switzerland. The main office of RSI is in a city called Lugano, where they plan and create their television and radio shows for everyone to enjoy.

History

The radio station called Radio svizzera di lingua italiana started in 1925 as Radio Monte Ceneri, named after a mountain where the radio signal was sent. It began regular broadcasts in 1933 in the areas of Ticino and Grigioni. During the 1930s and 1940s, when many nearby countries had strict rules on what could be said on the radio, this station was important for people who spoke Italian.

Television broadcasts started in 1958, first made in Zürich with Italian subtitles. In 1961, a new television service called Televisione svizzera di lingua italiana began, and its studios moved to Paradiso, close to Lugano. Color TV started in 1968.

In the 1970s, Swiss Italian television gave people in nearby parts of Italy another choice besides the main Italian channel. In 1985 and 1989, new radio stations focused on culture and younger listeners were launched. A second TV channel called TSI 2 started in 1997, and the first channel was renamed TSI 1.

In 2005, digital radio broadcasts began, and in 2006, analog broadcasting ended in Ticino. Starting in 2025, all RSI radio stations stopped using the FM system.

Logo history

RSI has had many different logos over the years. The first logo was used from 1936 to 1961. Another logo was used from 1982 to 1985, followed by a different one from 1985 to 1993. A new logo was introduced in 1999 and used until February 2009. There were also special logos for RSI’s radio and TV divisions. The current logo has been in use since March 2012.

Direction

The general director of RSI is Mario Timbal. The main office of RSI is in Via Canevascini in Lugano-Besso. RSI television studios are located in Comano, about 5 kilometers north of Lugano.

Operations

RSI’s radio department creates and sends out radio shows in the Italian language for people living in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. The studios are in Via Canevascini in Lugano-Besso. Until 2009, it was called Radio svizzera di lingua italiana (RSI).

There are three radio channels:

• RSI Rete Uno – general shows
• RSI Rete Due – cultural shows and classical music
• RSI Rete Tre – shows for younger listeners

These channels can also be heard online through the broadcaster’s website. Some shows are available as podcasts on Play RSI.

RSI’s television department makes and sends out TV shows in the Italian language for the Italian-speaking Swiss. The studios are in Comano, about 5 kilometers north of Lugano. Until 2009, it was called Televisione svizzera di lingua italiana (TSI).

The TV channels are:

• RSI La 1
• RSI La 2

In June 2019, the Swiss public broadcaster stopped showing its TV channels through digital terrestrial television. Viewers were told to switch to other ways to watch, like satellite, cable, or internet streaming.