Longtime television journalist Sandro Brotz is leaving Swiss Radio and Television in January 2027 to join the media house Ringier, where he will launch a new digital video podcast for the Blick news platform. The departure ends a 14-year tenure defined by his work on political flagship programs including the Arena discussion show.
Sandro Brotz Departs Swiss Radio and Television After Fourteen Years
The prominent political journalist will step down from his roles at Swiss Radio and Television at the end of January 2027. During his time at the public broadcaster, he anchored the Sunday evening political debate program Arena, which he also helped lead as deputy editor, and previously fronted the background news program Rundschau.
Ursula Gabathuler, co-head of information, credited him with making complex political subjects accessible to a broad audience through a persistent and pointed interview style, establishing a reputation for critical journalism and strong debate culture.
Sandro Brotz has shaped the Arena and Rundschau formats decisively over many years. With his tenacious, factual and at the same time pointed interviewing style, he makes complex political topics accessible to a broad audience.
Ursula Gabathuler, Co-Head of Information at Swiss Radio and Television
Sandro Brotz Prepares New Digital Video Podcast for Blick and Ringier
Upon his arrival at Ringier, the 56-year-old journalist will establish and host a multimedia talk format distributed across digital and social channels. The new video podcast aims to examine political, economic, and societal developments several times per week.
Blick Editor-in-Chief Rolf Cavalli welcomed the appointment, describing the incoming host as one of the most distinctive and influential figures in Swiss journalism. According to the publisher, the appointment aligns with an ongoing expansion of the media group’s video and cross-media strategy ahead of the 2027 federal election year.
The ability of Sandro Brotz to sharpen debates and get straight to the point fits Blick perfectly.
Rolf Cavalli, Editor-in-Chief at Blick
For the broadcaster, the change marks a return to familiar ground. Brotz previously worked in various editorial and leadership roles at Ringier, Radio 1, and AZ Medien before joining public television in 2012.
Successor Remains Unnamed for the Arena Anchor Desk
While Brotz is scheduled to host the Friday evening political debate through mid-January 2027, the station has not yet named a permanent successor for the anchor position. Station representatives stated that information regarding the transition would be communicated in due course, with immediate efforts focused on an orderly handoff.
Speculation surrounding potential candidates had previously focused on internal colleagues, including regular substitute anchor Mario Grossniklaus. However, Grossniklaus publicly ruled himself out of consideration, citing his upcoming responsibilities as election coordinator for the broadcaster and the network during the political campaigns ahead.