What is Replay TV?

Digital television has changed the way you consume programmes. With the Replay function, you can watch shows that have already aired whenever it suits you. This form of time-shifted television has transformed the daily habits of many viewers but also raises economic and legal questions. So how do Replay services work in Switzerland, what changes have been introduced in recent years, and how can you make the most of the offer?

20.11.2025 | Reading time: 7 minutes

How does Replay TV work?

Time-shifted television, often simply called Replay TV, allows access to TV content that has been broadcast in the past few days. With most providers, this means up to seven days of playback, and in some offers even more. Technically, the TV distributor stores or indexes the programmes and makes them available on demand.

With yallo TV, Replay is an integral part of the digital offering: customers can access over 280 channels, more than 70 of which are in Full HD, and save up to 1,000 recordings. The Replay window covers up to seven days of available content, and any programme broadcast within this period can be played back at any time.

How does the replay function work technically and practically?

The content is stored by TV distributors on their platforms and can be accessed via a TV box, an app or a web interface. In Switzerland, more than 250 channels and up to 50,000 hours of programming are available. When starting Replay playback, you can usually fast-forward, pause or jump directly to specific points. Note: some providers only enable Replay once you have activated the function. Content is often available only from the moment of activation.

yallo also points out that Replay only becomes active once the function is switched on. Programmes broadcast before activation are no longer available. If you deactivate Replay, you lose the saved programmes; when you reactivate it, recording starts again from scratch.

Key points

• Scope: many providers offer several hundred channels; platforms state that customers can access tens of thousands of hours of programming.
  
  
• Time window: the standard is up to seven days, with some new models offering up to fourteen days.
  
  
• Access: Replay is usually included in digital TV subscriptions, sometimes with different restrictions depending on the channel.
  
  
  

Advertising, revenue effects and political reactions in Switzerland

A central point of contention surrounding Replay is the ability to skip commercial breaks. Studies and industry data show that significantly more advertising is skipped during time-shifted viewing than during live broadcasts. While only a small proportion of viewers switch channels during commercials in live TV, 60–80% of viewers often skip ads when watching in Replay mode. Its adoption leads to significant losses in advertising reach and therefore in advertising revenue for ad-financed broadcasters.

This development has led to political debates in Switzerland. As a result of such negotiations, an industry solution was developed: TV distributors are not allowed to place their own advertising in Replay content without the broadcasters’ consent. In addition, a successor tariff to the common Tariff 12 was established, which regulates time-shifted television and came into force on 1 January 2022. The aim is to secure the financing of TV content without completely restricting Replay.

New advertising models and user options in Replay

To balance the interests of viewers and broadcasters, several advertising formats for Replay have been proposed and introduced:

• A short intro ad before playback begins.
  
  
• Display ads appearing when the pause button is pressed.
  
  
• A short commercial shown when skipping a break, instead of the full ad block.
  
  
• The availability period for on-demand programmes has been extended in discussions; in some offers, up to 14 days may be possible instead of just 7.
  
  

You can often choose between a classic Replay with full fast-forwarding, a version with a single ad insertion instead of complete ad breaks, or an option without fast-forwarding. Depending on the model, Replay may contain varying amounts of advertising or involve an extra charge.

yallo has also introduced a flexible model: by default, the Replay offer includes advertising, but with the additional “TV Comfort” option (CHF 7.95 per month), users can skip certain ad blocks in Replay. This option provides a much more comfortable viewing experience, especially for frequently watched private channels.

Differences between providers and practical tips

• Providers differ in scope, availability and conditions. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
  
  
• Activation: With many box installations, you’ll be asked during setup whether you want to activate Replay. Once confirmed, new programmes will be available in Replay; older programmes broadcast before activation may be missing.
  
  
• Channel selection: Not all channels are available in Replay with every provider. Private, ad-financed channels are more often affected by restrictions or special advertising rules.
  
  
• Time limit: Check how long content remains stored (7 vs 14 days) and whether there are exceptions.
  
  
• yallo allows Replay on up to five devices simultaneously, ideal if you live with family or in shared accommodation.
  
  

Practical tips

Check the list of Replay channels with your provider before signing up for a subscription.

Activate Replay immediately after installation if you don’t want to risk gaps in availability.

Use the start preview: many services automatically start playback after a short ad, so you no longer must fast-forward manually.

If you use yallo, consider whether the “TV Comfort” option is worth it if you want to skip ads.

Legal and data protection aspects

Replay services are subject to legal frameworks concerning broadcasting rights, licensing issues and advertising regulations. From a user’s perspective, it’s important to know what information the provider collects: usage data, such as which programmes you watch or how often you fast-forward, can be gathered to personalise advertising or manage billing models. Check your provider’s privacy policy if you want to use personal settings for playback and recommendations.

How to make the most of Replay?

Time-shifted television is ideal if you want to combine work, family or leisure activities flexibly with TV viewing. Here’s how to use these features effectively:

• Plan series nights: save programmes you want to watch later in one go.
  
  
• Avoid ad overload: choose a model that matches your comfort preferences (more fast-forwarding vs. fewer ads).
  
  
• Use pause ads consciously: if an app shows ads when pausing, you can treat them as a short break instead of enduring full ad blocks.
  
  
• Control: use features like favourites or search filters to quickly access the programmes that interest you.
  
  
  

FAQ about Replay TV

What exactly does “time-shifted television” mean?

Time-shifted television means you can access content after it has been broadcast. You’re not tied to broadcast schedules and can fast-forward or pause as you wish.

How long are programmes available in Replay?

It varies: seven days is the usual period, but the exact duration depends on the provider and licensing agreements. For yallo TV pland, the Replay duration is currently 7 days.

Can you completely avoid advertising in Replay?

Not always. Providers have introduced new models where short ads appear when fast-forwarding. Completely avoiding advertising is often only possible with paid models, such as yallo’s “TV Comfort” option.

Do I need to activate Replay?

Yes, with many box installations you need to actively enable Replay. After activation, only programmes broadcast from that point onward are guaranteed to be available. This also applies to yallo.

Does Replay affect the price of my TV subscription?

Replay is included in many subscriptions but may influence the price in future models, especially if you choose ad-free versions. yallo offers the ad-free option for an additional fee.

Are all channels available in Replay?

No. Availability varies depending on the channel and provider.

The Replay function has made television more flexible and offers clear benefits for users. At the same time, it has challenged the advertising industry and the financing of TV programmes. Regulations and industry solutions aim to create a balance between user convenience and fair funding. For you as a viewer, this means you must check your provider’s conditions, activate Replay in time and choose the model that best fits your viewing habits. This way, you can get the most out of time-shifted television, for example with yallo TV without unexpected costs or restrictions.