RTS strategy 2013 - 2014 television radio multimedia
RTS strategy 2013 - 2014
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his document contains a summary of the RTS strategy for 2013 – 2014. The principal strategy objectives stated here are implemented at the detailed level by RTS’s individual departments and services. A number of priorities have guided the formulation of this strategy. Chief among them is the need to maintain the quality and diversity of the services we offer. With this in mind, it is encouraging to see the positive results that convergence has yielded to date, even though there is still some room for useful improvement. The establishment of RTS as an enterprise in its own right has proven to be a success, and we are exploring new and promising avenues of cooperation between radio, TV and multimedia. To the extent permitted by our resources, we will be concentrating on our own original productions in both TV and radio, as well as on our presence in new media. Where our operations and finances are concerned, the on-going optimisation of our processes should give us the budgetary scope we need to finance our projects and to cope with a tougher financial framework, especially on the advertising revenue front. Last but not least, there must be a culture of collaboration and partnership at RTS. This cannot be decreed from on high, but is something which develops steadily through trust. It is something that we consciously cultivate. This strategy framework for 2013-2014 sets demanding standards. It cannot be implemented unless it is understood and shared by all. I would therefore like to thank you for your commitment, and hope that you find this strategy an enlightÂening read. Gilles Marchand
SERVICES & MARKET Radio, television and multimedia for French-speaking people of Switzerland Audio-visual media for all audiences
RTS’s range of services is aimed at all who live in French-speaking Switzerland (Suisse romande, in the west of the country), whatever their origins, and at Frenchspeakers throughout the country. It unites them around issues both universal and regional. In complete independence, it reflects the cultural, geographical and political diversity that exists in French-speaking Switzerland. With its inclusive remit, it offers mainstream radio, television and multimedia services. It spans all genres: politics, business, social issues, sport, music and the arts, entertainment and youth programming. It is accessible via all distribution channels and on all platforms (mobile and interactive) to reach everyone, especially young people, and the mobile, urban audience.
Open to Switzerland and to the world
RTS is expanding its coverage of news and events in the other linguistic regions of Switzerland, and in the rest of the world. To do this, RTS will strengthen its alliances with the other SRG SSR enterprise units in Switzerland, and its partnerships with other French-speaking public broadcasters internationally.
Leader in radio, television and online services
When all channels are taken together, RTS radio and television services achieve the highest audiences in French-speaking Switzerland, across all regions and all age groups. The RTS multimedia offering is one of the most popular in the entire western Swiss market.
More original productions
Thanks to on-going efforts to increase productivity, as well as a reallocation of resources internally, RTS is increasing the proportion of its schedule which features original productions, including co-productions with independent Swiss producers. This sets RTS apart from its competitors and justifies its remit as a Swiss public service media enterprise.
The potential of new media
RTS uses new media – and social media in particular – to promote its services, to extend its reach to its audience, and also to gather content (research, audiencedriven content, audience participation, etc.). Interactive television (HbbTV) and second screen use are priorities in this area.
A strong RTS brand, applied across RTS stations and programming genres
The RTS brand, synonymous with quality, is applied consistently across the company’s services, content fields and its web and mobile platforms. A graphic design team at RTS guarantees that the brand remains coherent as it evolves for use in different contexts. This team also coordinates the brand presence in joint broadcasting endeavours at the national level, such as the look and feel of HbbTV, or federal elections.
PUBLIC SERVICE REMIT Quality content on all media, and a significant reinvestment in the arts and the economy of western Switzerland
Strategy for each medium, and for cooperation between media
At both the programming and technological levels, RTS develops the particular qualities of each of its media (radio, television and multimedia) and anticipates the issues that they may face. RTS fosters media convergence in a variety of forms, between independent or integrated editorial teams, by means of collaboration between existing productions, or through the creation of tri-media content. It ensures that activities span all three outlets, and that the necessary investment is made at RTS’s current facilities in French-speaking Switzerland : Geneva, Lausanne and the regional offices.
Quality monitoring is an integral part of the production and review process
On all channels and outlets (radio, TV and multimedia), the content of our services meets the high standards of quality that are set out in the Broadcasting Charter granted to us by the Federal Government. Our services abide by the rules laid down in our own, publicly available Programming Charter. This is what sets RTS apart from its competitors, especially those in the commercial sector. Quality is at the heart of the production process, and is subject to regular review as part of RTS’s internal procedures.
Significant reinvestment in the economic and cultural fabric of French-speaking Switzerland
RTS works with private audio-visual enterprises in French-speaking Switzerland. It cultivates beneficial partnerships with independent Swiss producers across the range of programming genres. It also develops close relationships in the arts with artists, writers, festivals and cultural institutions which it supports and promotes. Furthermore, RTS fosters editorial, technical and institutional alliances with regional radio and television broadcasters. Cooperation with partners from the printed press remains open.
Capitalising on audio-visual heritage
RTS showcases its audio-visual archives across its radio and television programming and via developments in multimedia. It aims to open up as much of its archive as possible to its audiences, who themselves help to enrich RTS’s heritage.
Communications focus on new programmes and services, and on all activities which underline RTS’s commitment to public service
PROJECTS & PROCESSES Production standards and on-going projects in line with the available means and resources
A strategic intelligence
Strategic intelligence applies to content (programming, news), technology (operations) and finance (resources and development). RTS consolidates these different forms of intelligence into its overarching strategic intelligence, which forms the basis of debate and decision-making within the Executive Board, and guides the development of RTS’s various activities.
New production standards and methods
New production standards and methods mean that RTS can increase productivity while reducing production costs. This enables RTS to reinvest the savings in its radio, TV and multimedia services, and thereby provide its audiences with the formats they have come to expect.
“PrOper�* project a priority
RTS will restore equilibrium to operational finances at the budgeted level by instituting internal measures within the Operations division and by defining new programme commissioning processes.
Technical and real estate master plans in line with the allocated budget
RTS is moving ahead with technical and real estate projects which will underpin convergence and permit the development of new production methods which are more flexible and less expensive. In negotiating projects and priorities, it takes due account of resource availability and capacity utilisation. RTS implements efficient solutions which are strictly needs-based, with preference given to those driven by market forces.
Active participation in the national strategy for facilities and support services
RTS will achieve the regional objectives of the Efficiency project to harmonise tools, while at the same time maintaining its own production capacity and continuing to fulfil its service remit for French-speaking Switzerland. The RTS Operations division plays an active part in formulating the national production strategy, while asserting the skills and needs present in French-speaking Switzerland.
* PrOper = Programming and Operations
Finance Budget control and a dynamic financial plan
Operating expenses and investments under control in line with the financial plan  Financial scope internally in the medium term
New radio, TV and multimedia services and content require financing. RTS is therefore evaluating the financial potential offered by programming overheads, new standards and means of production, lower investment in technology, and a policy of outsourcing the production of certain types of programming under a “make or buy� approach.
Commercial objectives tied to steady growth
To achieve this objective, RTS is seeking to maintain its television audience to secure advertising revenue. It is also seeking to develop sponsorship of radio and television programming, as well as commercial revenues linked to sales.
EMPLOYEES Professional training, mobility and emerging talent are priorities
Professionalism
The professional standards achieved by those involved in the production and distribution of radio, TV and multimedia services are evaluated regularly and maintained by both basic and further training. The same applies to all other RTS staff in all areas, who have performance reviews with their line managers and may also apply to attend continuing professional development courses.
Professional mobility
RTS offers a framework which encourages professional mobility within the organisation at three levels: within the same medium, between media, and between roles. This mobility is understood primarily as the acquisition of multiple skills in the course of a career. It is determined by the practical needs of the enterprise.
Delegation of operational and management authority
RTS managers perform their internal duties independently within the scope of authority attached to their particular role. They also represent RTS and SRG SSR externally. They initiate and implement the enterprise’s projects and decisions, with a particular emphasis on convergence. They take a constructive approach to solving problems and finding solutions. They are open to collaboration with other teams and areas within RTS and SRG SSR. The heads of section liaise with management on the operational side.
Constructive social dialogue with staff
RTS applies the new collective labour agreement, and supports change. Management and section heads play a particularly important role here.
Equal opportunities
RTS promotes equal opportunities with a series of specific measures to ensure equal treatment in all areas, and makes every effort to avoid all forms of discrimination.
Effective internal communications
RTS provides regular, inside information to its staff. To this end, it is developing a modern and dynamic intranet that permits interaction between the enterprise and its employees, as well as other, complementary means of communication.
RTS values Openness
(...) Openness to the issues and events that surround us, including those in the other linguistic regions of Switzerland, and in the rest of the world. (...) This openness also applies to our relations with society in general. RTS is open to debate and criticism, on the one hand, and to the diversity of the society which it reflects, on the other. This openness characterises not only its services, but also the human and professional fabric of the enterprise.
Creativity
RTS is a creative and innovative enterprise. This creativity and innovation is showcased in particular in its programming, on the radio, on television and on its interactive and mobile platforms. (...)
Proximity
RTS services are an integral part of French-speaking Switzerland. They express its diversity, major developments, and preoccupations. They also offer a western Swiss perspective on the events of the other linguistic regions of Switzerland, and the world. (...)
Independence
RTS fulfils its public service remit free of any political or financial influence across its full range of services, and enjoys autonomy under the law. Independence affords freedom in RTS’s choice of subject matter, guests, journalistic treatment, and programming. (...)
Responsibility
The public remit awarded to RTS entails a particular responsibility in terms of both services and corporate conduct. (...) The Executive Board approved the “Valeurs RTS” document on 15 February 2011
Concept : Nadia Kara, Internal Communications Production and illustrations : Renaud Goudal, RTS Graphic Design Publication date : february 2013