Grk101

EDT has finally moved into the former ERT headquarters, and have subsequently launched DT HD as well as three radio stations: DR1, DR2, DR3. Another stepping stone toward NERIT.... http://www.satleo.gr/cdn/component/content/article/1-satleo/6099-2013-12-02-08-08-36 http://www.e-tetradio.gr/ar9959el_storadiomegaroentostwnimerwniedr.html Also there is a slight variation of the provisional NERIT logo in this video posted a few days ago.

I completely agree with the comments about the logo. Let's hope that they will come up with some good on screen logos by the time they launch in March. I also agree that NERIT should be used as the corporate name only, with different names for the TV and radio services. After all, that is how ERT operated as well. The only service that used the ERT name was the international service. I don't think they will re-use any of the old names though, so they can keep the appearance that this is a "new public broadcaster". :gr:

Some more movement. The NERIT board has launched a public consultation campaign where citizens can contribute comments on how the new broadcaster should operate. The findings will be compiled in a report and submitted to the board to be considered when putting together the broadcaster. Along with this public consultation call, the board also released a (provisional) logo for the broadcaster: http://www.opengov.gr/consultations/?p=1744 Also by early December, NERIT is expected to become a full active member of the EBU.

One step closer to NERIT. Riot police removed ERT workers from the headquarters in Agia Paraskevi. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24847278 http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_07/11/2013_526635 Of course opposition parties denounced the raid, most notably SYRIZA who had 10 MPs try to enter the building. Now SYRIZA is using this to call a vote of no confidence in the Greek government. :mellow:

Well according to the latest statements given, it looks like they are now aiming for a March 2014 launch...: "But the head of Nerit's supervisory board Theodore Fortsakis told AFP that the most likely launch date is March 2014, contradicting initial predictions of a December start. "We wondered whether we should start with a light programme in January or if we should wait until we are completely ready, which will be towards March and that is what we opted for," he said. "We want to launch three stations: one that will be cultural and educational, a second one that will be more commercial and a third one, for Greeks abroad."" Also a big hurdle is that the former ERT headquaters are still being occupied. "But after the international outcry caused by ERT's June 11 shutdown, the government is well aware that a forceful evacuation could backfire." http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/greeces-public-broadcaster-still-torn-011925279.html http://www.tovima.gr/en/article/?aid=534907

I figured I should make a new thread on NERIT and separate it from discussions on the former ERT. It looks like things are slowly moving forward for NERIT, the board of directors and president were chosen. (For a term of one year) The goal is to start building NERIT "from scratch" and launch sometime in the beginning of 2014. The new board is also supposed to meet with the EBU next week to get the ball rolling on their membership and any help they can offer in launching NERIT. http://www.tvshow.gr/thema-imeras/113800/articles/i-episimi-anakoinosi-gia-to-neo-ds-tis/article.aspx http://www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=22768&subid=2&pubid=63897653

How is the quality, has it been kept up to par with the new additions?

I'm not sure what their status is in Canada, it appears their Canadian main site is down. I would suggest contacting them http://www.ellastvcanada.com/contact-us/ On their US site, it appears you can order just the sports package.

I wonder why all the doubles with Verizon, and grouped together with the regular versions? As for the line up posted, it looks like Ellas TV is really growing their line up with all these local channels; hopefully their overall service won't be overlooked and suffer. As I understand it subscribers are still waiting for an EPG and catch-up TV. From the looks of the list, it looks like they have Athens and Thessaloniki very well covered with local channels. As the majority of these local channels mostly appeal to people from those areas, maybe they could fill the gap for the rest of the country by adding some Patras area channels like gyros suggested, like Patra TV and Super B. Also maybe channels like Acheloos TV and Lepanto TV from Aitoloakarnania, which appears to lack coverage in the line up. I wonder how much difference there is between these three channels? I assume they are affiliated since they carry the same name.

I was told that as of recently the current US lineup has become a big mess with rearrangements and a lot of double channels now labeled cable and Verizon for some reason.

According to their site, it looks like its now $10 extra for a second TV on the same account.

I recently had the chance to test Ellas TV out briefly. I was actually impressed by the set up, seemed pretty smooth. I didn't notice any major issues; all the channels were working when I tried it. It seemed nice to have all those channel options, especially channels/programs that aren't carried by Dish. I think when it comes down to it though, the international versions of the channels pretty much include the more important programs anyway.

Not sure why this was done. A rep on the online chat said "as the orbital locations for the channel changes the system has to change the channel number too." Not sure what he was talking about, since it is still at 118.8w?

I just saw this. Don't get it confused with on-demand. Catchup TV is supposed to be a feature within the EPG that enables you to go back a certain amount of time and watch any program that has been broadcast. My friend says that there is not even an EPG yet.

It is funny how there has been a sudden influx of new postings about Ellas TV... :ph34r: Anyway, having been using the service for a few months now, here are some thoughts by my friend: Positives: Channel changing is fast for the most part Time delay channels are great, maybe one of the best features A lot of radio stations available, also YouTube and TuneIn app accessibility. On demand has promise Response time to issues is generally fast. He said he usually sees service notices pop up on the box before he even notices issues. Picture quality is great on most channels with exceptions (more on that below) Negatives: A few channels don?t work from time to time and picture quality varies on others. (Break up or degrades) But he says they have been getting better at fixing them quickly. On demand lacks. There are a lot of sections and options, but some of them are empty and updates to them are slow or sometimes non-existent. No EPG or Catchup TV as advertised yet. It seems they are working on it, but nothing yet. Overall he is happy with it and says it has promise, but a number of issues do need to be sorted out to make it better. He moved to a new house in a wooded area, so satellite signal is difficult to receive. But he says he misses the DVR option he had with Dish the most. Presumably if they launch Catchup TV and/or update the on demand more frequently, it wouldn't really be an issue. More updates in the future?.

For what it is worth, a friend of mine that has the service likes it for the most part aside from some faults.

Nice to see the first Dish Network ad featuring Mega Cosmos. From this month's Orthodox Observer

I will have some updates on the service from my friend soon. In the meantime, it looks like Ellas TV is in the process of re-doing their website and posted some new pricing options: ET-503 box service: • Mega Pack (5 Greek Channels) - $29.99 • Basic Pack (10 Greek Channels) - $39.99 • Starter Pack (20 Greek Channels) - $49.99 • Family Pack (30 Greek Channels) - $59.99 • Premium Pack (40 Greek Channels) - $79.99 (Currently $59.99 with promotion) • Sports Pack (5 Sports Channels) - $24.99 • Extra Box - $9.99 Web TV only service: • Mega Pack (5 Greek Channels) - $14.99 • Basic Pack (10 Greek Channels) - $24.99 • Starter Pack (20 Greek Channels) - $34.99 • Family Pack (30 Greek Channels) - $44.99 • Premium Pack (40 Greek Channels) - $54.99 iPad & iPhone service: • Basic Pack (10 Greek Channels) - $9.99 • Starter Pack (20 Greek Channels) - $14.99 • Family Pack (30 Greek Channels) - $19.99 • Premium Pack (40 Greek Channels) - $24.99 Roku service: • Mega Pack (5 Greek Channels) - $19.99 • Family Pack (30 Greek Channels) - $44.99 • Premium Pack (40 Greek Channels) - $54.99

Like I said, I think their current line up is pretty solid. I don't think they need to touch it for a while. However I think there might be room in the future for Skai to be added eventually. Their programing has been getting better year by year, despite the economic crisis. So it might be ready for prime time in a few years. (pun intended :P)That being said, I also expect some channels to shut down in the future. The advertising market in Greece keeps shrinking, and the channels are having a hard time getting by. Even the deepest pockets can't keep pouring money into the channels if it keeps going this way. Plus there is the whole television license issue finally coming into play in the next few years. That may very well become their biggest issue.

^^^ Things change in the Greek channel dealings as we have seen, I am sure even DKSat would tell you that since he hinted many times over the years about different potential outcomes. A lot of factors come into play it seems. We could argue all day “If Antenna never signed the exclusive deal”, “if DirecTV got ERT World”, “if certain people got the rights to certain channels”, if if if or should've would've could've. What matters today is that Dish and Mega were able to come to a deal. Looking toward the future, it would be nice if Dish continues to look into more additions. But like I said they have a pretty solid line up right now IMO, although Skai would be nice eventually. If you asked me a few years ago, I would also say Star, but their programming has gone way downhill since then. Their niche is easily covered by Alpha/ANT1’s programming currently IMO. I also wonder if we will ever finally see ERT World FTA on KU band in North America. :gr:

Great news that it will be in the Greek Elite package with no further increase! They have a pretty solid package now, especially since the launch of Greek Cinema IMO. I am surprised though that they got to be offered a-la-carte as well, and for $19.99 at that. I guess Mega wasn't the only desperate one, Dish must have really wanted them back. I am just glad IPTV is not the only option anymore.

Maybe they are just using 9839 during testing? Or maybe someone doesn't want Mega Cosmos before their flagship Ant1 Satellite. :LOL: In all seriousness we should know more info in a few days when Dish decides to release more information. It doesn't make much sense to stick with 9839 like you said, and have Mega Cosmos after all the radio stations.

^^^ I knew a good number of families that had the Greek channels on DirecTV. When they moved to Home2US, not so many followed. I think one reason was the high start-up costs. Even with the free receiver offer in the beginning, most people did not know how to realign their dish themselves and did not want to pay for an installer to come out. Also any "all new" customers had to pay for an installer no matter what. After Home2US closed, anyway you put it IPTV is still a new technology that many people are not ready to adopt or are not familiar with. There is a market for it as it appeals to some, but not nearly as big of a market as satellite at the current time in my opinion. Maybe that will change in the future.

Someone asked when it will launch, and they responded: "we are working for a December 5th date. Might be sooner :). Will keep everyone posted" So it looks like Mega Cosmos will relaunch on Dish Network within 2 weeks. No information yet about package pricing. Let me help you out there :D :D

I always thought Alpha distributed their channel on their own. At least someone mentioned they did on this forum. I could be wrong.Alpha TV is owned by Dimitris Kontominas, and earlier this year one of his companies won the worldwide distribution rights to ERT World. I am guessing that he also has some type of tie or deal with GMG for DKSat to say that. I could be wrong though.