CHOwnership & classification
Founded: 2014
Ownership
watson is a Swiss German-language online news portal launched on 22 January 2014 by the start-up FixxPunkt AG, with funding from publisher Peter Wanner of AZ Medien; its founding editor-in-chief was former 20 Minuten chief Hansi Voigt. Editorial control passed to CH Media, which became the majority owner of FixxPunkt AG in 2023. CH Media is a Swiss media company founded in 2018 as a joint venture between AZ Medien (the Wanner family) and the NZZ Media Group.
Funding
watson is financed commercially, primarily through online advertising and sponsored content, within the CH Media group. It is not state- or party-funded.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially it is broadly centre to centre-left and tabloid-style in tone. Because it is privately owned by a commercial publisher (CH Media / the Wanner family and NZZ group) with no party or state control, it is classified INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 682
63/100
Factual
58/100
Objective
963
Articles
941
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
4th round of the Super League Dream goals by Sène, Sanches and Gigovic: YB bodigt Vaduz
In the fourth round of the Swiss Super League, Young Boys (YB) defeated Vaduz 4-2 at the Wankdorf Stadium. YB took an early lead but allowed Vaduz to equalize twice. In the second half, Alvyn Sanches and Armin Gigovic scored to secure the win for YB, who climbed to the top of the table. Vaduz remains winless after four matches. The match featured standout performances, including a goal from Kaly Sène and notable contributions from Vaduz players like Milos Cocic and Juan Cabrera. YB will next face FC Basel, while Vaduz will host Grasshopper Club Zurich.
Restaurant fire with missing and injured in Thusis GR: What we know so far
The article reports on a restaurant brand in Thusis, Switzerland, where several people are missing and injured. It outlines the current known information regarding the incident, though specific details about the cause or extent of the situation remain unclear. The focus appears to be on the local community’s concern and the ongoing investigation into the event. No further details about the restaurant’s operations or the nature of the incident are provided.
Wildberries: Selenskyy explains why the "Russian Amazon" is under attack
The headline suggests that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has explained why the Russian-based e-commerce platform Wildberries is being targeted. The article appears to reference a statement by Zelenskyy regarding the actions taken against Wildberries, which is described as 'Russia's Amazon.' However, the provided text is incomplete and does not contain further details about the specific reasons for targeting the platform, the nature of the actions taken, or any official statements from Zelenskyy.
Voting on 27 September Is the food initiative a drinking water initiative 2.0?
The article discusses the upcoming September 27 referendum on the 'Ernährungsinitiative' (Food Supply Initiative), comparing it to the previously failed 'Trinkwasserinitiative' (Drinking Water Initiative) launched by Franziska Herren and her organization 'Sauberes Wasser für alle'. While both initiatives aim to reform agriculture, the new initiative focuses on increasing self-sufficiency through more livestock farming and less plant-based production, which appears more appealing to farmers. However, the Swiss Farmers' Association strongly opposes the initiative, arguing that reducing livestock would negatively impact their sector. The article highlights the strategic differences between the two initiatives, noting that the current one avoids direct subsidies cuts but still faces significant opposition.
In the Ukrainian attack on Belgorod killed six people, among the wounded children
On August 17, 2026, an Ukrainian missile attack struck the Russian region of Belgorod, killing six people and injuring four, including a 14-year-old child. The attack reportedly hit the village of Koloskovo in the Valuysky district, damaging a building and a vehicle. In addition, a woman was killed in another Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Astrakhan region, which targeted industrial infrastructure. According to French news agency AFP, at least 19 people were killed in mutual attacks between Ukraine and Russia over the weekend. Russia’s defense ministry described the Ukrainian strikes, some involving hundreds of drones, as the largest since the start of the year. One of the targets was a warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce company Wildberries, which Kyiv claims supplies parts for drones to the Russian military. Meanwhile, in southern Odessa Oblast, a Russian night attack on Izmail caused fires that have been extinguished. A civilian ship flying the flag of Tuva was damaged during the attack, leaving four people injured. Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz reported that Russia conducted 13 attacks on its facilities across Ukraine in the past week, targeting production and能源
Reto Berra and a "romantic transfer" that could "spoil" the championship
The article discusses Reto Berra and a 'romantic transfer' that could potentially distort the championship. It suggests that this transfer might have significant implications for the competition's integrity. The focus is on how such transfers can influence the outcome of the championship, raising questions about fairness and competitiveness. The term 'romantic transfer' implies a move that may not be purely based on strategic or competitive reasons but could involve emotional or sentimental factors.
Bayern Munich are once again too strong for BVB and win the Supercup
The article reports that Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund in the Supercup, highlighting Bayern's continued dominance over their rivals. The headline suggests that Bayern Munich's strength was once again decisive in securing victory. The article emphasizes the competitive nature between the two clubs but does not provide detailed match highlights or specific player performances. It appears to focus on the outcome rather than offering in-depth analysis or contextual background.
A lot of drama at the end Basel wins the classic at FCZ thanks to a twist
The article reports on a dramatic final moments of a football match between Basel and FCZ (Football Club Zürich), where Basel secured a victory due to a last-minute turnaround. The headline emphasizes the intense and emotional nature of the game, highlighting the significance of the result in their rivalry. The match appears to have been closely contested, with Basel overcoming challenges in the final stages to win. The focus is on the excitement and unpredictability of the outcome rather than any broader political or social implications.
Vice-Prime Minister: Italy will not take back refugees from Germany
The Vice-Chancellor of Italy has stated that the country will not return asylum seekers who were sent back from Germany. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about the management of migration flows within Europe. The statement highlights Italy's stance on handling refugees and migrants, emphasizing its refusal to participate in repatriation efforts with Germany. This position could impact bilateral relations and broader European Union policies regarding immigration.
Rome 's most famous priest is nobody . Now he 's got competition .
The article discusses a claim that Rome's most famous 'priest' is not actually a priest, and now faces competition. The headline suggests there may be another individual who has gained prominence in this role, though the specifics of the situation remain unclear. The piece appears to focus on the identity and status of a notable figure associated with the title of 'priest' in Rome, questioning whether this person holds the religious authority implied by the title. There is no detailed explanation of who this individual is or why they are being challenged, leaving the reader with more questions than answers.
Man orders 300 pizzas in someone else's name now he's in jail
A man in Switzerland has been arrested after ordering 300 pizzas under false names, allegedly as part of a fraud scheme. The incident highlights concerns about identity theft and misuse of personal information. Authorities have taken legal action against the individual, emphasizing the seriousness of such offenses. The case has sparked discussions about online security and the need for stricter measures to prevent similar incidents. No further details about the motive or ongoing investigations were provided.
4th round of the Super League Fr Early Di-Giusto goal gives Lucerne the victory
In the fourth round of the Swiss Super League, FC Luzern defeated Lausanne 1:0, thanks to an early goal by Matteo Di Giusto in the third minute. This victory came despite Luzern having only earned one point in their first three matches of the new season. The win was crucial for Luzern ahead of their 125th anniversary match against FC Zurich. Lausanne struggled offensively throughout the game, failing to register any shots on target in the first half and only managing one missed opportunity in the second half. Goalkeeper Karlo Letica made two critical saves to preserve the clean sheet. Both teams will continue their Super League campaigns next week, with Luzern playing against Servette and Lausanne hosting FC Zurich.
Why we should ditch the term "social media"
The article argues that the term 'social media' should be replaced with a more accurate term, suggesting that the current terminology is misleading and fails to capture the true nature of these platforms. It highlights concerns about how social media influences society, particularly in terms of misinformation, polarization, and the erosion of democratic discourse. The piece calls for a reevaluation of how we describe these platforms to better reflect their impact and encourage more responsible usage.