Replay lets you watch what already aired, and recording keeps a programme for later; both sit behind a plan or an option, and each provider counts them differently. This post lines up what the providers state (state: October 2026), explains the units and says what to check before you rely on them.
01
Replay and recording in Switzerland: what the terms mean
The four words you will meet, in the sense the providers use them:
- Replay: watching a programme that has already aired, for a limited time, usually 7 days
- Restart: starting a programme that is already running from the beginning
- Live pause: stopping a live programme and carrying on later
- Recording: keeping a programme for as long as your capacity allows; at the providers read here it is stored on their servers, not on a disk in your home
02
The services side by side
Figures as read from each provider's own pages:
| Service | Replay | Recording | Restart and live pause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swisscom blue TV S | 30 hours without fast-forward | None | Replay function only |
| Swisscom blue TV M | 7 days | 240 hours | Listed with the plan |
| Swisscom blue TV L and XL | 7 days | 2,000 hours | Listed with the plan |
| Sunrise Up TV L and M | 7 days | 2,000 hours | Listed with the plan |
| Salt Home | 7 days as an option | Option Recordings Max, up to 1,000 titles | – |
| Salt Home+ | 7 days included | Recordings Max included | – |
| Zattoo Free | No | None | No |
| Zattoo Premium | 7 days | 1,000 recordings | Yes |
| Zattoo Ultimate | 7 days | 2,000 recordings | Yes |
03
Hours, titles or recordings: comparing different units
Swisscom and Sunrise state recording capacity in hours; Salt states it as a number of titles, and Zattoo as a number of recordings. Two thousand hours is about 83 days of continuous video, which is far more than most households use; a limit of 1,000 titles runs out sooner if you record series episode by episode. The honest comparison is how many programmes you keep at once, not the headline number.
04
Ads in replay and how to skip them
Replay commercials are now shown on most time-shifted TV channels. The providers handle skipping them differently: Sunrise states that you can skip them only with the paid Skip Ads option, Swisscom sells Replay Comfort for blue TV M, L and XL, Salt lists Replay Max as replay without the additional ads on some channels, and Zattoo lists skipping TV ads among the features of Ultimate. If ads in replay bother you, this is the line to read before you choose a plan.
05
Recordings abroad
Zattoo's offers page calls its recordings "worldwide", and its help page confirms the practical result: on a Swiss account outside Switzerland only recordings can be streamed, for up to 90 days per trip, while live TV, replay and restart are not available. That makes recording a useful habit before you travel; see watching Swiss TV abroad.
06
How to choose
Four questions settle it:
- Do you record at all? If not, Swisscom blue TV S or a Zattoo plan with replay is enough
- How many programmes do you keep at once? Compare that with 240 hours, 1,000 titles or 1,000 recordings
- Do you watch replay with ads on? If you want them skipped, factor in the option or the plan that includes it
- Do you travel? Recordings are the one function that works on a Swiss Zattoo account abroad
07
Where to go next
See also A second TV, Swisscom vs Sunrise vs Salt vs Zattoo and Zattoo Free, Premium, Ultimate. For the whole picture, start from IPTV Switzerland: licensed providers compared.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long is replay on Swiss TV services?
7 days at Sunrise, Salt, Zattoo and Swisscom blue TV M, L and XL. Swisscom's blue TV S offers 30 hours of replay without fast-forward.
Which service records the most?
Swisscom blue TV L and XL and Sunrise state 2,000 hours, Zattoo Ultimate 2,000 recordings, Salt Recordings Max up to 1,000 titles and Zattoo Premium 1,000 recordings. The units differ, so compare by how many programmes you keep.
Can I skip ads in replay?
At some services, with a separate option or plan: Sunrise's Skip Ads, Swisscom's Replay Comfort, Salt's Replay Max or Zattoo Ultimate.
Can I use recordings abroad?
On a Swiss Zattoo account, recordings are the only function that works abroad, for up to 90 days per trip.
Sources
Read next
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