Grk101

Sad to hear there has been a snap. Hopefully it will be resolved asap! I wonder what the snag was exactly though. Money?

ERT goes Digital, although initially with MPEG2 but will soon transition to MPEG4. (Which the other channels are using)

With the radio stations being offered FTA as well, does this give us a better chance of DirecTV picking them up as well? Or is it unrealistic since they could put that bandwidth to better use?

Yeah and 27.8 means that 72.2% were not interested in that show either. You make it seem like a 30% share is so much higher than a 20% share. And thus Greek TV has gone down hill. Look at the other ratings around the same time period you gave me as well. They are all mostly 20% and below -- very comparable to today's. So don't make it seem like TV has gone down hill so dramatically. Of course every once in a while you get an absolute hit TV show that draws everyone in. Here is another example of that in 2006 even:

I personally have had no problem in the quality of some of the shows. There are some good ones, and some bad ones. That happens everywhere. For the record, even some American TV shows are foreign adaptations. As long as they are done well (and/or substantially re-written in some cases), I don't see a problem with them. An idea is an idea after all. Big deal. It's not like a majority of the "original" shows on TV today world-wide aren't similar to other shows in one way or another. Where I personally draw the line is with foreign subtitled or dubbed shows. Like the turkish telenovella on ANT1 (subtitled), and Patty on Mega (dubbed - which is aimed at kids btw). That is when it becomes a joke to me. I could see some merit in them if they re-did them as a Greek production, but just subtitled and dubbed are a joke. And the public is loving this Turkish show on ANT1. Even before, when it was on Macedonia TV, apparently it was getting all sorts of buzz. It end in October, and they are planning to air another Turkish show after that..... :ph34r: Also I understand how ratings and shares work. And shares are a huge part regardless. And while the shares are high, the ratings are not bad themselves. Take a look on a random date:

And again, like I said, it has been limited each year. I never said it just started. And they never aired on Mega Cosmos. I don't think it has to do with rights either in this case. I doubt after all these years, not one of those shows had international rights......Alpha tv has a number of reality shows and airs them here, I doubt they specifically ask for int. rights. Honestly, I don't think they even think of us. I think we are just an afterthought for them IMHO. But that is another story.... Mega's emphasis for prime time for a while now has always been on quality scripted shows. Which is why they excelled these past few years imo. And as I said, some of the shows based on a foreign script are done very well - some even to the point where the entire script is re-worked, only using the series idea. They do air "I zoi tis allis" and have from the start on Mega Cosmos. In fact this show in question was the number one rated show daily in Greece almost all last season. (Sometimes switched spots with the orig. scripted "Ta Mistika Tis Edem" which was usually 2nd.) And not just so-so numbers. If I recall correctly, it was hitting close to 50% daily on AGB.

ANT1 has, but not Mega. On the contrary, Mega had some super-successful series, and has constantly surpassed ANT1 (and all of the rest of the channels) as the top-viewed channel in Greece year after year for the past few years. The AGB numbers don't lie -- multiply filling in the top 10 daily. If you mean adaptations, then you are partially right. But it has been going on for years, (not the mention that it doesn't represent their full offering) and some of them are actually done great. For the record, their nightly news program is also the number 1 news broadcast amongst the "war of the news broadcasts"......but the news-is-news anyway imo. Only this year does it look like Mega is following the other channels and going "deeper" with more reality. (in the past they have had maybe about 1 or so a year.) I am interested to see if they will broadcast any here to fill in the schedule or if they will have enough new original programing this season to fill in prime-time. Ever since I started subscribing to Mega (back on Dish), Mega Cosmos has never once broadcast a reality show. Must be a policy or something, because I am sure they would at least have international rights for some of those shows. As for ERT beating ANT1, I am not surprised. I admit, I ditched ANT1 myself this past year and kept only ERT as their programing went way down hill. At the end of the day, it was mostly only reality and old tv shows. <_< I had to sacrifice some sports, but it saved me about 20 or so dollars a month. I hope they do improve in the future again, but it doesn't look like it unfortunately. I was very close to ditching ERT too, but decided to keep it for various reasons. As it has been discussed many times, they are in long need of an over-haul though.

If I recall correctly, DKSat had written that they initially had a deal with DirecTV, but Star was asking for too much money so they backed out. That could very well be the case with RCN as well, we don't know. Maybe the price to carry it outweighed the amount of audience the channel actually attracted on RCN. And of course, the economy also most likely had a part in it. That is why I am interested how Direct will handle the pricing for ERT. Currently their top Greek package with 4 channels costs $34.99. Comparing some of the other top language packages, (and it is comparable on Dish) shows just how greedy the Greek channels are...... Filipino - 10 channels - $34.99 Korean - 9 channels $31.99 Russian - 8 channels - $39.99 Vietnamese - 7 channels - $29.99 I also wonder what this "Greek Media Group" plans to do. It seems they have really dropped the ball. Star failed, and as I elaborated in my other post, GMTV has not been updated in ages. I was hoping (more like dreaming) that DirecTV would dump GMTV in favor of MAD World, but I don't see that happening. Greek Media Group probably charges next to nothing for the rights to GMTV. And that reflects in their handling of the channel in my opinion. END OF RANT :P By the way, from what has been written, Star International isn't too bad. It is more of a life and style channel, which you are right, appeals to certain groups. But like you said, to each his own. And who doesn't want to see Petroula's weather report -- regardless of the fact that we don't actually need to know Greece's weather here? ;) :LOL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oby8RIykiww

DK, thanks for all your information. It is really appreciated. Any rough time line on when we could expect ERT to launch on Direct? I hope they also start closing some cable deals as well. Also anything about my theory of Direct adding more Greek channels? (Not that there are many left anyway) I know they were looking at doing so a few years ago. Or is the current climate just too bad/not worth it. Thanks.

Anyway, back on topic, with ERT moving to be offered on DirecTV and other platforms, Dish Network is looking more and more like an unattractive deal. (at least IMO) The only thing saving it I think is the fact that ERT and ANT1 jointly bid on sports rights for this upcoming season. (I think I had read that?) If ANT1 looses those rights next year, and their programing approach stays the same, Dish is done in my opinion. Any news on when we can expect to see the channel added to the other platforms?

The formula of Greek channels adapting foreign shows has been going on for a while. Some of them are very bad, but some of them actually do very well. Ironically, last year an episode of the popular "H Polikatikia" on Mega made fun of the fact that Mega (and other channels) were chasing Spanish format shows, a play on the fact that "H Polikatikia" itself is actually taken from Spain's "Aqui No Hay Quien Viva". :LOL: A pleasant surprise for this upcoming season in between all the reality shows, cheap productions, and foreign subtitled shows (Turkish) seems to be Mega's upcoming series "To Nisi". It is an adaptation of the best selling book "The Island" by Victoria Hislop, and it apparently has a budget of 4 million euro. They have begun airing trailers for it, and it actually looks quite cinematic. http://www.megatv.com/tonisi/

You should take a look at the programing for the new season from the other Greek channels. They are all taking on this model. What's worse, is that there are now even going to be competing knock-off format shows. (Like TopChef (Ant1) vs Masterchef (Mega)) The only one that it looks like seems to be offering a few scripted shows for the next season is Mega, but even they are scaling them down and adding a lot of reality.Alpha itself actually has some OK reality shows: Greek Idol, Efialtis Stin Kouzina (Kitchen Nightmares), Pame Paketo (which is actually top rated on its night), and they bought the rights and are reviving Big Brother, which apparently got a record 6,000 submissions. Also they have Lakis Lazopoulos' show, which is top rated on its night, as well as the well rated morning shows. (Kafes Me Tin Eleni on Weekdays, and Mes tin Kali Hara on weekends)

What great news! Let's hope it really is available on more platforms, and at a competitive price at that! :tup: Let's hope this new company signs a number of deals on various platforms, and not just "exclusive deals". So with this move, if they do in fact go to Directv as well (I'm sure D would be interested to pull in viewers?), Antenna will effectively be the only channel left that is exclusive to Dish Network. Any chance we will also get the online stream back now?

HD hits Greece through Nova:

Some new developments/updates in Greek TV: It seems HDTV is coming to Greece finally. There are reports that Nova will start offering HD channels soon. Also on Digea's site, they state that HDTV will come soon. (Most likely after the transition phase) Also Satleo is reporting that ERT is close to selecting MPEG-4 for their digital transmissions. They currently transmit in MPEG-2, but have the capabilities for both. Digea is using MPEG-4. (http://www.satleo.gr/content/view/2821/1/) Satleo is also reporting that Mega wants to start broadcasting in 16:9 aspect ratio like SKAI currently does, and is pushing the other major channels to follow. (http://www.satleo.gr/content/view/2822/1/)

Quick question for anyone who knows, besides the obvious power issue, will digital set top boxes purchased in the United States work in Greece?

Some digital transition updates: The main channels (Alpha, Alter, Antenna, Macedonia TV, Mega, Skai, Star) have started a joint venture for their digital transmissions called "Digea". More information on it on their website: http://digea.gr/ This article/video is from September 2009, stating that the digital transition is coming with a target of 2012 for all of Greece. (Also as set by the EU. Absolute deadline in accordance with Geneva agreement is 2015) http://www.star.gr/index.php?ID=media&Rec_ID=16418 It seems there is some progress. The Thessaloniki region was put online on January 14, 2010 (http://www.star.gr/index.php?ID=media&Rec_ID=27131), while the Attiki region (greater Athens) is expected to go online June 18, 2010. (http://www.star.gr/index.php?ID=media&Rec_ID=36876) Unlike the Thessaloniki region, there will be no dual transmission of analogue and digital broadcast in Athens. Analogue will be shut off when Digital goes online.

yeah but in the states people are using cable connections......in greece people have antennas or sattelites.......im saying could it come in through a standard antenna? would i need a special box for the antenna to get HD channels? but greek channels in HD would be awesome. Imagine OAKA CL in HD :D ... I know you can get it over an Antenna, but I do not know if it needs to be a special Antenna or if you can use your standard antenna. Looking at this site for example, (http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/worley/263) it seems to just mention a regular antenna. All you need is to be in range, be pointed in the right direction, and have an HD Tuner. Most new HDTV's come built in with digital and HD tuners. So there should not be an additional box needed for over the air transition. If someone has more knowledge on this, please step in.

I know you can get HD (local channels) over the air here in the US for free.....Not sure what you need though.Anyway, thanks for the news slick13. And thanks for that detailed explanation PurelyAcademic. :tup: It's nice that ERT will be adding more channels, but you still can not get those channels all over Greece. And it also seems that the set top boxes are expensive too.

I know this is a long shot, but do any of the Greek channels have plans to eventually broadcast in HD? I know a number of European broadcasters have already started to broadcast. You would think that ERT would try this out since they have some digital channels too. Also when is Greece's planned Digital transition? Last I heard the EU deadline was something like 2012, but an quick on line search brought me to an to an article stating that Greece's target is for 2015. What will these eventual changes mean for us (who receive the international versions) in the future? :gr: