Aftonbladet Launches Radio Station to Challenge Swedish Radio's Century-Long Dominance
The media landscape in Sweden is undergoing significant changes as traditional outlets seek to broaden their offerings. This summer, Aftonbladet, owned by Schibsted and established in 1830, introduced Radio Aftonbladet to challenge the leading Swedish Radio. The Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority awarded it an FM license that was previously occupied by a well-known music station. The new station employs Aftonbladet's 200 journalists to cover news, entertainment, and sports, and has brought on former Swedish Radio host Henrik Johnsson. In its inaugural month, it attracted fewer than 200,000 weekly listeners, in contrast to Swedish Radio's audience of over seven million. Approximately one-third of Swedes subscribe to online news, the second-highest rate in Europe, drawing interest from major media companies. Aftonbladet's initiative illustrates how established brands are adapting to modern platforms.
Key facts
- Aftonbladet, a Schibsted-owned tabloid, launched a radio station in summer 2026.
- Radio Aftonbladet received an FM licence from the Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority, previously held by a music station with a million listeners.
- Swedish Radio has had a near monopoly on newscasting for the past century and reaches over seven million weekly listeners.
- Radio Aftonbladet reached fewer than 200,000 weekly listeners in its first month.
- The station can draw on Aftonbladet's 200 journalists for news, entertainment, sports, and podcasts.
- Henrik Johnsson, a presenter, was poached from Swedish Radio.
- About a third of Swedes pay for online news, the second-highest percentage in Europe after Norway, per the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
- Sweden's media market is dominated by commercial houses such as Bauer Group, Viaplay, Bonnier News, and Schibsted.
Entities
Artists
- Henrik Johnsson
Institutions
- Aftonbladet
- Schibsted
- Swedish Radio
- Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority
- Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
- Bauer Group
- Viaplay
- Bonnier News
- Monocle
Locations
- Sweden
- Stockholm
- Norway
- Europe
Sources
- Monocle —