ERT1, is the flagship television network of state-owned broadcaster ERT. It was launched in 1966 as a television service of the National Radio and Television Foundation. EIRT became ERT, then ERT1, ENA, and ET1 before being closed by the Greek government in 2013, when it was mainly an entertainment and cultural channel but also broadcast documentaries, news, sports and children's shows. On 11 June 2015 ERT was reopened and the ERT1 name was restored, technically replacing NERIT1 which had been launched by the previous government in 2014 as part of the New Hellenic Radio, Internet and Television. ERT1's programming is focused on that of a generalistic TV network, being composed oftalk shows, movies, popular foreign TV series, and some cultural shows.
History
The channel launched on 23 February 1966 as part of the National Radio and Television Foundation, as the first general television channel in Greece. TED, Armed Forces Television orientated towards the Hellenic Armed Forces only, went on air four days later on 27 February 1966. ERT replaced EIRT on 3 December 1975. On 3 November 1982, the Hellenic Armed Forces relinquished ownership of YENED to ERT. when it was renamed ERT2. In 1987, ERT1 and ERT2 were amalgamated into a single company and became ET1 and ET2. ET3 was launched on 14 December 1988 and ET2 became known as NET in 1997. On Thursday 18 August 2011, the government under George Papandreou proposed to close ET1 and redistribute its programs to ERT's two remaining television channels, NET, and ET3. However, the Greek coalition government abolished ERT entirely on 11 June 2013, resulting in widespread condemnation. ET1 went off air on the same day, but ERT's employees at Broadcasting House kept NET on air, with the assistance of the European Broadcasting Union, who sent satellite retransmission vans to the station's headquarters, via the Internet and as part of the ERT Open movement, until riot police evicted them on 7 November 2013. Employees from the Thessaloniki studio continued to unofficially transmit ET3, also via the Internet and under the same movement, until 11 June 2015. On 11 June 2015, exactly two years after the closure of ET1, the coalition government with Alexis Tsipras as Prime Minister restored ERT as part of counter-austerity measures. On the same day, ERT1 replaced NERIT1 on its frequencies, which had operated since 2014.
Programming
Series:
Murdoch Mysteries
Agatha Christie's Poirot
Seis Hermanas
Fargo
Madam Secretary
Shows include:
From 6 a.m. - ERT weekday breakfast show from 5:30–10 a.m.
Communication – Airs from 10–12 a.m.
ERT News – Daily newscast, with national and international news. Airs at 6:00am, 12:00am, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 7:00am and 12:00pm.
Connections – Airs from 1:00p.m.–3:00p.m.
Sport Sunday – ERT sports show on its 45th season. Hosted by George Lykouropoulos and Periklis Makris.
Personally – A show which shows stories of remarkable people. Hosted by Elena Katritsi.
Time Machine – A documentary by Christos Vassilopolos, focusing on big historical events.
Choices – Airs at 9:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Various research shows such as Roads, Special Missions, ERT Report, etc.