ERT Digital

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ERT Digital logo.

ERT Digital (Greek: ΕΡΤ Ψηφιακή) is a pilot project from ERT, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation. It is the first legal attempt of DVB-T broadcasting in Greece, featuring 3 all new digital television channels: Cine+, Prisma+ and Sport+. It officially launched in early 2006 and is fueling the transition to an all Digital TV transmission, required by the European Union to be complete till 2012. The project is being funded through ERT SA's budget and there is presently no advertising.

In the initial phase of the program, each channel will broadcast between 6-10 hrs. of original programming. This will last approximately 1-2 years in which time it is anticipated that new programming will be produced for each channel. ERT also hopes to launch at least 2 more digital channels at some point in the future - a lifestyle channel and a children's channel. The programming on the 2 digital channels is separate and distinct from that featured on ERT's 3 analogue services - ET1, NET and ERT3.

ERT Digital is currently available to approximately 65% of the population (mainly in Athens and some other major cities) but is expected to be available nation-wide soon. It is broadcasting Free-To-Air without any subscription cost, requiring only a generic DVB-T set-top box. The issue of paying for the 3 digital channels has been an area of contention with many Greek citizens as ERT is funded through a fee that is levied on all Greek households through their electricity bills. Some contend that they should not have to pay for something that they may not be able to receive or do not want to watch.

[edit] Programming

Cine+ features international & Greek films, cultural programmes and documentaries, mainly taken from ERT's vast programming archive. It also houses Studio+, a music show featuring Greek and international videos, that is planned to later reform to a full separate channel.

Prisma+ focuses on entertainment as well as news & education. It is planned to be the first TV channel that is fully accessible to people with disabilities.

Sport+ is a sports channel which covers live sports events - mainly soccer and basketball, but also other less popular sports. NBA TV programmes are regularly featured.