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| ERT (Greek broadcaster) | |
|---|---|
| Name | ERT |
| Native name | Ελληνική Ραδιοφωνία Τηλεόραση |
| Country | Greece |
| Launched | 1938 (radio); 1966 (television) |
| Headquarters | Athens |
| Language | Greek |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV |
| Owner | Hellenic Republic |
ERT (Greek broadcaster) is the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, the main public service broadcasting entity in Greece. It operates national television and radio networks, historical archives, and regional stations, and functions as a member of the European Broadcasting Union, interacting with international organizations such as the UNESCO and the Council of Europe.
ERT traces its origins to the state-funded Radio Athens services of the late 1930s and wartime transmissions associated with the Greco-Italian War and the Axis occupation of Greece. After World War II, public broadcasting expanded under institutions linked to the Greek Civil War aftermath and postwar reconstruction, with institutional foundations shaped by the Greek monarchy and subsequent governments. Television services began in the 1960s during the period of the Regime of the Colonels, with infrastructure development influenced by European broadcasters like the BBC, RAI, ARD, and ORT models. During the Metapolitefsi era, ERT evolved amid political reforms associated with successive administrations including those led by Andreas Papandreou, Konstantinos Karamanlis, and Kostas Simitis. The broadcaster played prominent roles during major events such as the 2004 Summer Olympics, the Macedonia naming dispute mediated talks, and coverage of the Greek government-debt crisis. In 2013, the broadcaster was controversially closed by a decision under the government of Antonis Samaras, provoking protests involving unions like the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists and cultural figures including Mikis Theodorakis. It was reinstated and restructured under law initiatives promoted by the administration of Alexis Tsipras and subsequently regulated by the Hellenic Parliament and the National Council for Radio and Television.
ERT is organized into television and radio divisions, regional directorates, archival units, and production departments. Governance bodies include a Board of Directors appointed through parliamentary procedures tied to legislation debated in the Hellenic Parliament and overseen by ministries such as the Ministry of Digital Governance and previously the Ministry of Culture and Sports. Human resources encompass journalists accredited with the ESIEA and technical staff trained alongside institutions like the National Technical University of Athens and international partners such as NHK and France Télévisions. Archives of audiovisual material intersect with collections housed at the Benaki Museum and collaborations with the Greek Film Archive and academic centers like the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
ERT operates multiple channels including national generalist services, cultural and international channels, and regional stations. Key channels mirror public-service models similar to BBC One, BBC Two, and Arte; ERT's lineup historically included flagship channels analogous to ERT1, ERT2, and ERT3 for northern Greece, broadcasting programs ranging from news to drama and sports. Coverage of events such as the UEFA European Championship, the FIFA World Cup, and the Olympic Games has been provided alongside collaborations with networks like Eurosport and the European Broadcasting Union. ERT's studios in Marousi and the central broadcasting complex support production, while satellite distribution engages platforms comparable to Eutelsat and partnerships with Greek diaspora outlets in Australia, United States, and United Kingdom communities.
Radio networks span national and regional stations, including music, news, culture, and minority-language programming. Services range from classical-music outlets modeled after BBC Radio 3 to news-talk formats similar to NPR or Deutsche Welle offerings. ERT radio has produced notable documentary series on subjects like the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the Pontic Greeks, and has cooperated with international radio organizations such as the European Broadcasting Union radio network and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for training exchanges. Regional stations broadcast local culture across the Peloponnese, Crete, and the Aegean Islands, while shortwave or satellite links historically served Greek communities in Cyprus, Germany, and Canada.
Funding models have included license fees, state appropriations, and advertising revenue, debated in the Hellenic Parliament and scrutinized by financial oversight bodies like the Hellenic Court of Audit. Reforms have been influenced by EU directives and judgments from the European Court of Human Rights regarding media pluralism and public-service independence. Governance controversies prompted legislative changes under administrations including Kyriakos Mitsotakis and advisory input from the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Financial crises and austerity measures tied to memoranda with institutions like the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank, and the European Commission affected staffing and programming decisions.
ERT produced influential news programs, cultural shows, and drama series featuring presenters and creators such as journalists from the ranks of Nikos Xydakis (journalist), commentators like Kostas Arvanitis, and cultural figures including Elli Lambeti and Melina Mercouri who appeared in televised events. Music programming showcased composers such as Manos Hadjidakis and Mikis Theodorakis, while investigative journalism engaged reporters with backgrounds from outlets like Kathimerini, Ta Nea, and To Vima. Documentary collaborations involved filmmakers affiliated with the Greek Film Centre and festivals like the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
ERT has faced criticism over political influence, editorial independence, and budgetary transparency, with disputes involving political parties including New Democracy, SYRIZA, and PASOK. Labor conflicts with unions such as the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists and strikes affecting broadcasts drew attention. The 2013 shutdown prompted legal challenges in the Council of State (Greece) and protests with involvement from cultural figures, unions, and European institutions including the European Broadcasting Union. Coverage decisions during elections, austerity protests, and foreign-policy crises such as tensions with Turkey over the Aegean dispute generated debate about impartiality and public-service mandate.
Category:Publicly funded broadcasters Category:Mass media in Greece