💬 The WRS Story

For nearly 30 years, WRS has been the trusted voice of the English-speaking community. More than a radio station, WRS is how English-speaking Switzerland stays informed, entertained, and connected to local news, culture, music, and each other. Broadcasting from Geneva, WRS connects people across regions, cultures, and languages.

Now, we’re building the next generation of WRS: new voices, fresh energy, and a station ready for the next 30 years. By supporting this campaign, you’re helping to keep WRS independent, keep English-language broadcasting alive in Switzerland, and encourage integration and community connection.

🏔️ What Your Donation Means

Switzerland is generous, international, and community-minded - and every franc counts toward building the future of independent radio. Here's a way to look at your donations:

💳 CHF 30.- Take WRS into its 30th year - CHF 1 for every year on air.

💸 CHF 75.- Skip a Geneva dinner, serve up great radio instead.

💵 CHF 150.- The cost of home Wi-Fi - keep the airwaves alive.

💰 CHF 300.- A 'tenner per year' to keep your favourite station strong.

💳 CHF 1’000.- The cost of health insurance for the fam - invest in community wellbeing.

💵 CHF 5’000.- Train a new on-air voice - bring future presenters to life.

💰 CHF 10’000.- Fund a full month of live broadcasting across Switzerland.

💳 CHF 25’000+ Join WRS history - leave your mark on English radio in Switzerland.

Every contribution brings us closer to keeping this essential voice strong, independent, and growing.

🎯 Funding Goal : CHF 100,000

This goal funds the WRS relaunch, including:

• Securing a new Breakfast Show presenter, trained and mentored by current Breakfast Show hosts Mark Butcher & Katt Cullen.

• Hiring a new day-to-day station manager.

• Marketing and outreach to grow our audience and secure WRS’ future.

• Hiring a business development manager to manage advertising and sponsorship on-air to ensure sustainability.

🚀 Stretch Goals

CHF 120,000 – Expanded marketing and outreach to reach Swiss newcomers across our broadcast zones and help them integrate into Swiss life.

CHF 160,000 – New community-led content and programming, including expansion of the Local Talent music feature, supporting Swiss artists.

CHF 240,000 – Develop training and classroom materials for local students to learn broadcasting and journalism, building confidence and skills while inspiring the next generation of broadcasters.

CHF 300,000 – Hire additional journalists to strengthen local and national news coverage and original programming, and expand DAB+ coverage into German-speaking Switzerland, making WRS a national English-language media network.

Every franc pledged helps WRS grow stronger, more creative, and more connected.

🗓️ Timeline

🔴 NOW - January 2026: Fundraising campaign live
🔴 January - June 2026: Implement and train new presenters and behind-the-scenes team
🔴 No break in transmission on-air. WRS stays with you.

⚙️ Our Values

✅ Independent - WRS reflects its community
✅ Inclusive - Reflecting the diversity of English-speaking Switzerland
✅ Creative - New shows, new talent, new ideas
✅ Transparent - Regular updates on goals and progress

❤️ Join the Story

Help us write the next chapter of English-language radio in Switzerland. Support independent broadcasting, invest in local creativity, and keep WRS part of your everyday life.

 

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

💬 1. Why are you raising money now?

After nearly 30 years, WRS is entering a new phase. Existing Breakfast Show presenters Mark Butcher and Katt Cullen are stepping back to make room for new talent, and your support funds presenters, marketing, and studio technology for WRS: The Next Chapter.

🎙️ 2. Is WRS in financial trouble?

No. This is about strengthening WRS for a strong, community-focused future. The station remains independent, but growth - new presenters, DAB+ expansion, and digital content - needs additional support.

💰 3. How much does it cost to run a radio station?

Running WRS costs roughly CHF 120,000 per year before any salaries or marketing, in line with a small, efficient station focused on serving a regional audience. This new chapter is expected to cost CHF 300'000 - CHF 600'000 depending on which funding goal is reached. WRS does not receive money from your yearly TV & radio license fees (BILAG).

💰 4. Where does my money go?

Donations fund new presenters, marketing, DAB+ expansion, and community projects - building the next chapter of WRS.

🧾 5. Is my contribution a donation or a purchase?

It’s a donation. We aren’t offering goods or incentives in return (as that would make it taxable as a sale). Every contribution goes directly toward funding WRS’s development - and all donors will receive regular transparent updates about progress.

📡 6. Will WRS still broadcast during this transition?

Absolutely. WRS will remain fully on air throughout 2025–2026.
The training, mentoring, and relaunch happen behind the scenes, so listeners continue to enjoy uninterrupted programming, with new voices joining gradually.

🌍 7. What happens if you exceed your fundraising goal?

We’ll grow even faster. Extra funds will enable us to hire more staff, launch community shows, expand on DAB+, and upgrade studio equipment. The more we raise, the more of Switzerland we can reach.

🏦 8. Who owns WRS?

WRS is privately owned by Mark Butcher and Katt Cullen (SwissVille Broadcasting Sàrl), who are guiding the next phase with a new team to ensure a sustainable, independent station.

📱 9. How can I follow progress?

We’ll share updates through on-air announcements, social media, supporter emails, and HappyPot campaign page progress reports. You’ll hear exactly how your support is being used - and meet the new voices joining WRS as we grow.

🇨🇭 10. I’m a business or organisation - can we contribute too?

Absolutely. We welcome partnerships and larger contributions from companies who share our mission to support Switzerland’s international and English-speaking community. Contact us at info@worldradio.ch for details about corporate contributions collaborations. Advertising and sponsorship requests are welcome at advertise@worldradio.ch (VAT applies).

🧾 11. What happens if you don't reach your goal? Do I get a refund? 

No. Every contribution goes straight into strengthening WRS; hiring, training, and building a stronger team - and we proceed at whatever scale the funds allow. This is not an all-or-nothing fundraiser and all donations directly support securing and growing WRS for the future. 

📡 12. Are you a charity? Why should we help? 

WRS is privately owned and this isn’t a charity appeal. Like many independent radio stations worldwide, we’re turning to our community on a voluntary basis to support a service you find useful and/or entertaining. While most of our operational costs are covered by advertising and sponsorship year-round, our plan for 2026 requires more, so we have turned to our community to bridge this funding gap. Donations are always optional.