The Beat turns Zurich's local news into conversations you can actually follow, and join.
We launch one new in-depth story each month, reported with Zurich's leading journalists, in English.
One story, told in 20 minutes giving you the full picture.
Instead of another news feed, every month we choose one story already making headlines in Zurich and unpack it from beginning to end. By the time you finish listening, you'll understand not only what happened, but why people are talking about it. Reported together with journalists from NZZ, Republik, Tsüri and Tages-Anzeiger.
Ever feel like Zurich is having conversations you're not a part of?
You live here. You care. But local politics, housing and the decisions shaping the city often feel difficult to follow, especially if you didn't grow up here. Not because you aren't interested. Because nobody hands you the context.
How listeners describe The Beat
Recent stories
The legacy of Corine Mauch (Zurich’s mayor 2009-2026)
Why are tenants suddenly losing their apartments across Zurich?
How did a handful of Zurich journalists take on Palantir, and win?
coming out July 30
Come talk about our stories in person with THE BEAT LIVE.
At our events we bring together people who would not usually meet around the same local story. Our live conversations create space for long-term locals, international residents, and people with very different experiences of Zurich to listen, exchange perspectives, and take part in the same civic conversation.
91% of past participants said they felt comfortable sharing their opinion, even without previously following local news.
One Story. Different moments.
At the Beat we take one Zurich story and tell it properly, as a podcast episode that you can listen to on your lunch break, a newsletter feature you can read right before the weekend, and the same story will also be performed live where you can talk about it with people you'd never normally meet.
Why we're different
At the Beat we’re convinced you don’t need more news, but rather better context and stories that take into account that many of Zurich’s residents didn’t grow up here. Most local news assumes you already know the background. The Beat starts where headlines stop. We don't translate articles into English. We turn them into entertaining stories that make sense, even if you've never followed Zurich politics before.
