02.10.2026 | Reading time: 7 minutes
At a glance:
Your TV is hanging on the wall, but you only really switch it on for the European Football Championship or when there’s a good crime drama on? So why sign up for a contract you barely use? You’re not alone. More and more people in Switzerland are wondering whether a traditional TV subscription is still worth it – especially when most of what they watch is streamed anyway. The answer: you no longer need a contract to watch TV. And by the end of this article, you’ll also know why you still pay for “TV” even if you don’t have a subscription.
There are basically two options. First, broadcasters’ own streaming platforms, such as SRF. There, you can watch selected programmes for free, but you don’t get continuous live TV across a wide range of channels. Second, there are ad-supported free TV apps such as yallo Free TV. These give you real live TV with a wide choice of channels – funded by advertising instead of a monthly fee. That’s the option we’ll take a closer look at here.
One of the biggest advantages of free TV apps is that you don’t need any extra hardware or a cable connection – everything runs over the internet. yallo Free TV, for example, works on:
Simply download the app and start watching. No set-top box or cable connection required.
With yallo Free TV, you get access to more than 300 channels, including the main Swiss channels as well as German, French and international channels. For news, sports or a movie in the evening, that’s usually more than enough.
Here’s the part many people aren’t aware of: even if you never watch TV or only use free streaming services, you still have to pay the Serafe fee in Switzerland. In 2026, this household fee remains CHF 335 per year – regardless of whether you actually use a TV.
In March 2026, the “200 francs is enough!” initiative, which proposed reducing the fee to CHF 200, was clearly rejected, with around 62% voting against it. The Federal Council nevertheless plans to reduce the fee gradually: to CHF 312 from 2027 and CHF 300 from 2029.
This fee is completely separate from your TV provider. It has nothing to do with yallo Free TV or a traditional TV subscription, but it applies to every private household in Switzerland.
Free TV does come with a few trade-offs:
For occasional TV viewing, these limitations are unlikely to be dealbreakers. But if you regularly follow a series or want to catch up on programmes you’ve missed, you may find the free version more limiting.
Only watch TV occasionally and mainly want to channel surf, catch the news or watch live sports? Then a free service may be all you need – with no contract required. If you want to record series or use Replay, a full TV subscription with these additional features may be a better fit.
The simplest option: start with free TV and upgrade later if you need more.
Is free TV in Switzerland really legal?
Yes. Ad-supported services such as yallo Free TV are legitimate, licensed streaming services – funded by advertising rather than subscription fees.
Do I need a set-top box for free TV?
No. The programmes are streamed over the internet, with the app running directly on your smart TV, smartphone or tablet, or in your browser.
Do I still have to pay a fee if I don’t have a TV subscription?
Yes. The Serafe fee (CHF 335 per household in 2026) is payable regardless of how much TV you watch and is completely separate from any individual TV provider.
What can’t I do with free TV?
Free services usually don’t include features such as Replay, series recording or downloads for offline viewing. Monthly viewing time may also be limited.
13.06.2025 | Reading time: 6 minutes
TV has changed fundamentally in recent years. Instead of relying on traditional cable or satellite, more and more people are turning to internet-based television. With modern technology, you can now watch TV via Wi-Fi—without complicated installations or expensive equipment. All you need is a stable internet connection and the right TV streaming app.
22.08.2025 | Reading time: 3 minutes
In Switzerland, many households have already replaced traditional TV connections with Streaming TV. No need for cables or satellite dishes, all you need is an internet connection and a compatible device. But what exactly is streaming TV, how does it work, and why are so many people switching?
