HellasHab

Based on the channel lineup listed by ellastv, it appears that this company may be connected to Greek Media Group- a subsidiary perhaps?! If true, then it would appear that this Dumas person has merely moved over to head up the new sister company. Anyone looked into this Ellas TV service? They apparently also carry some channels from Greece, which makes me believe it may be operating in some sort of grey area as those channels are domestic and most likely would not be available outside of Greece. Only two packages listed on their site at the present time and both are a bit on the pricey side IMO- MEGA Cosmos/Alter Globe for 30 bucks?! EDIT: The website has now been updated and they now offer several packages. The package I referred to above has been changed and now includes ERT World, MEGA Channel, Alter Channel, ET-1 & ET-3. That is a better deal for $30. but I still don't see how they can offer the channels from Greece OR why someone would want these channels seeing as how there is 7hr time difference between North America & Greece.

It is also criminal that the omogenia in North America are treated like second class citizens compared to Greeks in the rest of the world. :tdown: Greeks in Australia/New Zealand as well as Europe don't pay a dime for ERT World yet us here in North America have to pay through the nose for this channel. :angry: I would like to know why it is that we are forced to pay for this service when it is available FTA in the rest of the world?! Either make it a Free service for everyone or make it a pay service for everyone- who the heck is in charge of ERT World, no one?! ;)

According to LyngSat, ERT World is now available on Eutelsat W6 @ 21.6

ERT has posted an announcement on their website about changes to the FTA signal for Europe. It looks like Hellas Sat 2 will no longer carry ERT World, its not listed on their website anymore. The change will be with the Hotbird 6 signal, the new frequency is as follows: HOTBIRD 6 @ 13.0

I hope you are right about MEGA because it along with ERT World are the only two I am interested in, unfortunately the provider I am with does not carry either. MEGA Cosmos was not available here in Canada for several years so I am not too familiar with their programming only from what I have read. I have read about them airing some reality stuff as well, perhaps its only recently they started doing this, as you mentioned?! I hope they still make at least a few series every year, don't go over to the dark side completely like ANT1 has ;) To Nhsi looks interesting, will have to find a way to watch it online. Make no mistake, their number 1 priority is to make money, not to provide a service for the omogenia. I would wager that they are making money, perhaps not a lot but they are making something or else I think they would have left a long time ago. About 10 years or so ago all you had in North America was Antenna. Now you have 8 channels available here and 9 in Australia. That tells me that this is a profitable business, which is why so many channels now broadcast internationally. of course subscribers are getting fleeced in the process with the high prices they charge but what can you do?!

I agree that the Greek channels are way overpriced although this seems to be the norm with international channels, most are priced around the $15. mark. I would suggest a price point of $10 for ERT World, it doesn't air any entertainment programming so there is no reason (except greed) why it should be priced as high as it is. Comparing other state owned channels available in the US: Rai Italia- $9.99 RTP International- $9.99 TV5Monde- $9.99 Hmm, I am detecting a pattern here... :D As for Greek Media Group, they seem to be a low budget outfit designed to get maximum dollars for the channels they are distributing. Don't forget, they are mainly a marketing company, they don't own the rights to all the channels they distribute. Alter Globe & GMTV rights are owned by Ilyda, some company from Greece. GMTV appears to be a low budget channel run on the cheap, I don't think it has been very successful and I wonder why DirecTV hasn't dropped it (most likely a contract issue- its probably tied together with Alter Globe?!). Music video channels do not have as much appeal as they used to back in the day, nowadays you have the Internet and can access music content online through your computer or mobile phone- you don't need to sit in front of a TV to watch this stuff. As you mentioned though Grk101, I suspect that GMTV & Blue are being thrown in at no charge or very minimal charge which is why the providers have agreed to carry them.

That is unbelievable DKSat, are you saying that ERT World has now surpassed Antenna as the top channel in North America?! I recall in the past you posted that Antenna was the number one channel?! That doesn't really surprise me actually. As I posted above, the quality of the Greek channels (ANT1 & MEGA specifically) has declined in recent years and I would wager that all this reality crap doesn't appeal to the older generation- heck I am younger I don't like watching this stuff. I suspect the economy has a lot to do with the changes these networks have made to their programming, less serials (which are expensive to produce) and more cheaper fare like game shows & reality shows. No wonder people are moving towards ERT World, their programing seems to be aimed at an older audience.

ERT World is the only channel I would be interested in if I were DirecTV. Antenna would also be an option except they are locked into a long term deal with Dish which probably also has an exclusivity clause attached to it. Personally, I don't really see the need to add any other channels?! Also, the current economic climate probably makes things difficult for any channel looking to enter North America. Look at Star, it tried to enter this market and failed. I believe DKSat posted a while back that they initially approached DirecTV, who wasn't interested and then eventually ended up signing a deal with RCN. It only lasted a short while and not much of a surprise to me since Star is a niche channel and most probably don't know about it and the programming does not have widespread appeal- it caters mainly to a younger audience. Speaking of niche channels, it would be interesting to know how many watch ANT1 Gold & Blue, I suspect that viewership is not that high on these two channels compared to Antenna & ERT?! I think the focus should be on ERT World now, they need to expand their distribution and get on to cable in the US. I think the addition of ERT World will help sell some more cable subscriptions, especially in areas where satellite is not an option.

What about Ku-Band FTA in North America, is that not going to happen?! I knew it was too good to be true! :angry:

ERT has put up the following notice on their website, it outlines changes to the satellites that offer ERT World FTA around the world, effective Sept. 4: Changes to ERT World Frequencies Of note, the article above does not mention anything about ERT World FTA in North America on Ku-Band, only C-Band. :tdown:

Very interesting Kolossos, So if GlobeCast is out in Australia then why would they be in in North America?! DKSat posted above that ERT World will be available FTA in N.A. via GlobeCast's World TV platform. That doesn't really makes sense to me since if I am not mistaken Comart is a subsidiary of GlobeCast?! On another related topic, will these changes on the distribution side result in any changes on the programming side namely the much talked about, much anticipated LOCALIZED SCHEDULES!?! Will ERT ever get their act together and offer Greeks abroad what every other international services offers- a schedule programmed according to the local time zone?! Oh while they are at it, update the damn schedule for the soccer matches, so people know what the hell you are airing! :angry:

Actually I am aware of of this, I frequent various blogs about Greek television to see what changes are happening and what new shows are coming. They are following the lead of many other broadcasters around the world, filling their schedules with worthless reality crap because its cheap to produce. The other trend I noticed for the new season is for the few television series that will air, ANT1 & Mega will be adopting formats & plots from foreign shows- i.e. American, British & Latin American. I believe one of the networks is going to be launching a Greek version of My Name is Earl, unless something has changed recently. From what I have read on the net, most Greeks don't like this and I concur. They can't come up with some original ideas, I am sure there are many talented writers in Greece that could come up with good premises for a show. Looks like the end of television as we know it, they are dumbing it down, making the product more cheaper. :tdown: :tdown: This doesn't bode well for the Greek channels available internationally since they are premium services and they charge a lot. I am rethinking whether I want to spend $15 bucks a month to watch a channel that will air mainly reality junk, the programming I despise greatly. ANT1 & Mega will probably fill the schedules of ANT1 Satellite & MEGA Cosmos with old series, since they most likely only have the rights for these reality shows for Greece. As for Alpha, the only thing on there that I would watch is the show from Lakis Lazopoulos, its quite funny from the little bit that I have seen. The rest is crap but to each his own I guess?!

Thanks for the update DKSat. Interesting news, so ERT is the one directing them to go to DirecTV and cable, looks like there's some bad blood between ERT & Dish Network?! I wonder what that means for Antenna and their channels, who will subscribe to Dishnet just for Antenna especially now that its available on cable as well?! Could this mean the end of Greek programming on Dish?! They like to add a lot of niche, 2nd tier ethnics, I wonder what they will replace ERT World with, if anything?! The addition of ERT World will strengthen DirecTV's Greek package and might mean an increase in subs for them?! They should drop Alpha TV, that channel is full of reality junk, very little quality programming- at least IMO. Looking at the PCCW Global website, it appears as though this is a Chinese company?! If so that would explain why they have been able to secure deals in the span of only a week- the Chinese know how to get things done!

DKSat, Good to hear from you again file! :tup: I can't believe what I am reading, are you telling me that my wish will finally come true and we will see ERT World FTA in North America?! Are you sure PCCW Global will be allowed to offer it FTA since it still airs soccer matches?! Any news on whether the deal with this company will become permanent?! According to the info you posted, it appears ERT has signed a one year deal with PCCW Global because they will be going through a public bidding process to award the rights. Why would it take one year to decide whom to award the distribution rights to... oops I forgot we are talking about Greece here! :D Well, I guess we will see how this plays out. Hopefully this company starts signing some deals with cable companies in the US, so people there have more options available to them.

I read an article awhile back on Satleo that the main networks (ANT1, MEGA, ERT, etc) are ready to start broadcasting in digital. Mind you digital and HD are two seperate things which many seem to confuse, just because its in digital does not mean its high definition. I think HD is far off in Greece let alone the international channels that are available abroad. The best you can hope for is a digital broadcast but one never knows what the future holds. It appears to me as though there is no regulatory structure of any kind in place in Greece so without any rules to follow there is no emphasis on any station to go HD.

ERT has stated over and over again for 3 friggin' years now, that ERT World will have 3 seperate feeds with each one having a localized schedule, meaning we don't have to watch things according to Greek time. I have yet to see anything implemented and have received no response to any of my emails- typical Greek crap I guess. ;) I am sick of this crap, ANT1 & Mega both offer local feeds of their international channels where the program is aired according to the local time zone be it N. America or Australia- why the hell can't ERT get with the program and do the same?! Its bad enough we have been getting repeats for the past 4 months, we can't even watch some shows because they air in the middle of the night because of the stupid time difference with Greece. What kind of amateurs are running this channel, do they not have any professional people working at ERT who know what they are doing? :tdown:

ERT World is FINALLY Here!! :tup: The on-screen logo has been changed to ERT World, the website hasn't been changed yet though. Now where is my localized schedule ERT, that is all I am waiting for so hurry up! Time to change the name again Ziaka :D :gr:

Takis,Join the club, not very many people are happy about things here in Canada, but blaim the stupid CRTC for that. If things were more open here like in the U.S, we would have access to the same channels but instead we get crappy CDN versions that have to have a certain percentage of Canadian content. There is another company that is looking to launch 2 new channels, no word on what they may be and it won't be until sometime next year at the earliest, since we are now headed into the holiday season so nothing will get done now. Send me a PM if you like and I will give you more info on who to contact at this company to get more information. The more people that contact them the better, so they know there is interest. My advice would be go FTA, not black market but real FTA. Mega, Alter & ERT Sat are all available FTA (C-Band). The reason I mention these is because they are on 2 different satelites but they are close to one another. Could pick them up with one dish, while Antenna is on yet another satellite but it would require a second dish. :gr:

Give it a rest already- its a friggin name who cares?!It is a Canadian channel that is owned and run by Odyssey Televsion Network, so Ziaka has it correct IMO. Also, if he felt strongly about changing it he probably already would have, so that should give you a hint on whether it will change or not. Is this Maniatakos in diguise? :gr:

All good things to those who wait :D I second that cyberfish! I think we have reached our ANT1 limit, you can only take so much crap and then its too much. Also, I don't see what other channels they have that could launch here, then again maybe I should just zip it in case there are other ones :LOL: Interesting about Globecast Ziaka, I would have only thought DirecTV. Why would they go to Globecast, DirecTV is the more mainstream provider, Globecast only sells international services. Although with Globecast owning the rights to ERT Sat, that would be an interesting twist, if they move ERT Sat over there too. How many would stay with Dishnet then, I wonder? Oh well, time will reveal all, its just I like to know now, I can't take the suspense :D Maybe someone should contact DirecTV and Globecast and see what they have to say?

Ha, ha I would like to know what happened as well. I wonder what they presented since the channel is still ERT Sat not ERT World. What a joke, so much for October, its November and still no changes. Great work ERT, keep it up :D I know others (see HELLAS-KYPROS-ENWSIS) don't like us complaining about ERT Sat but you can't help it because these guys are pathetic. I don't care about the name change nor the programming changes, all I want is the LOCALIZED SCHEDULE- ARE YOU LISTENING ERT?!? How hard is that, give me the schedule in North American time not Greek time. I live here not in Greece. Once that change occurs, which I doubt it ever will, then you won't hear another word from me about ERT Sat or whatever the heck its called. Incidentally, I see the lines were busy today, tried calling but all I got was a busy signal. I guessed alot of people are pissed about the mishap yesterday during the soccer. They probably turned off the phones, so many people were calling. Thankfully I was still able to watch the game, just the sound got screwed up. I see others lost the video not the sound- that sucks big time! I wonder if DKSat could find out what the heck is going on at ERT headquarters?

The 15th has come and gone and still no changes at ERT SAT- surprise, surprise!! Typical last minute Greek stuff, who knows if the changes will actually ever happen?! I contacted ERT and still have not received a reply. What is it with these Greek channels, what the hell is the point of putting out an email address if you aren't going to bother replying to people?? Oh well, I will enjoy what is there, maybe someday the schedule will be localized just like the other Greek services.

Has this report been published in the newspaper yet or is the guy still investigating?? Ta Nea is available here in Toronto at the library, so I may go see if I can find the article. So does this mean Globecast has the distribution rights for North America or have they not been awarded yet? Here I was hoping Globecast would get them so they could move the channel to IA5 so we could get it FTA (Ku Band). Is ERT in on this too, I guess they must be - Bastards! :angry: I suggest everyone in the US who wants ERT SAT call Dishnet and complain and threaten to cancel your subscription. If enough people do this maybe they will make the channel available a la carte again. Call ERT as well and tell them this is unacceptable to have to pay $40 bucks in order to get the Public broadcaster. Crooked p*****thes, fidi na sas faei! May they all go bankrupt!! Anyone know who is in charge of ERT Sat, I think I would like to send them an email.

So any news on the rights issue for ERT SAT?? September is gone and October is half gone, why do they take so long to make a decision?? Typical Greeks, if we convert it to Greek time, we should know who has the rights by next spring. :D :gr:

I agree Epsilon, I see today that TV5 here in Canada is showing the France - Italy Euro qualifier LIVE! and also Telelatino has picked up the game from 'Setanta' so why can't ERT or Antenna pick up the qualifiers as well in Greek?? I guess the answer is they are too cheap and don't want to spend the money. :tdown: