Business · Companies · 10 hrs ago
Biel Bienne to publish its final issue at the end of the year
Biel Bienne, a free weekly newspaper in German and French, will publish its final issue at the end of the year.
The newspaper was founded in 1978 in Biel, Switzerland, by Mario Cortesi and others.
It aimed to offer a different voice in a city where the Gassmann publishing group had a strong hold on local media.
The paper became a lasting part of the region’s media landscape.
It is closing as advertising declines, reading habits change and distribution costs rise.
Cortesi, now 86, says he is sad the newspaper cannot continue but proud it lasted so long.
He does not yet know what comes next, but says he intends to keep writing.
Biel Bienne, a free bilingual newspaper based in Biel, will publish its final issue at the end of 2026.
The weekly was founded in 1978 by Mario Cortesi and others.
Gassmann Media said the paper was closing as advertising declined, reading habits changed and distribution costs rose.
Cortesi said he was sad the paper could not continue but glad it had lasted so long.
He said he plans to keep writing.
- Who
- Biel Bienne, founded by Mario Cortesi and others, is ending publication.
- What
- The free bilingual weekly will publish its final issue.
- When
- At the end of 2026.
- Where
- Biel, Switzerland.
- Why
- Falling advertising, changed reading habits and rising distribution costs put pressure on the newspaper.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ich bin natürlich ein Dinosaurier.
Ich bin traurig, geht es nicht mehr weiter. ‹Biel Bienne› war mein Leben. Aber gleichzeitig bin ich auch glücklich, dass wir so lange durchgehalten haben.
Ich höre erst auf zu schreiben, wenn ich keine Worte mehr finde.
Mario Cortesi and others founded the weekly newspaper.
Biel Bienne and Gassmann joined forces to build the television channel Telebielingue and the radio station Canal 3.
Gassmann Media announced that Biel Bienne would close.
The newspaper is due to publish its final issue.
- Founded
- 1978
- Final issue
- End of 2026
- Format
- Free, bilingual weekly newspaper
- Founder
- Mario Cortesi
- Stated pressures
- Falling advertising, changed reading habits and rising distribution costs
Sources
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