Alter Channel

Alter Channel better known as Alter, was a private TV network in Greece. It launched in 1994 and is owned by Eleftheri Tileorasi S.A, which is headed by Andreas Kouris. Programming mainly consists of news & current affairs shows and entertainment programmes. Alter currently features popular news anchor Nikos Hadjinikolaou, morning show host Giorgos Aftias and controversial but popular investigative reporter Makis Triantafyllopoulos. Alter also airs the award-winning program Fos Sto Tounel, a program that tracks down missing persons. It also features a strong lineup of children's programming that airs daily. Since early December 2011, Alter Channel stopped broadcasting due to financial difficulties.

Alter Channel launched in 1994 as 'Channel 5'. In a transitional period (it was co-owned at that second period by 'Altec' and 'Kouris Media Group') it was named Alter 5 and on 27 October 2000 it re-branded yet again this time as Alter Channel.

History

• 2001–2002 – Alter was launched to make room for a probability of popularity trying to compete with other Greek networks being the top 10 channel.

• 2002 – Alter Eidiseis (Alter News Bulletin) peaks at 250,000, surpassing almost any channel but Star, being the #1 news broadcast.

• 2002 (September) – Alter moves the news programming from 6PM Balkan-Nile (GMT+2) (5PM Cen. Europe-Cen. Africa Time/GMT+1) to an hour and twenty minutes later to compete with other channels, and probably replace ANT1 news schedules, Star Channel did the same.)

• 2003 (October) – Head of Alter and Tempo were fired.

• 2005 – Alter launches Alter Globe, an international service featuring the best of Alter in North America (Aug. 24) on Dish Network and Australia and Asia – Africa (December) on UBI World TV.

• 2007 – Alter Globe was removed from the Dish Network platform in the US on August 31, 2007, and debuted on rival platform DirecTV on September 26, 2007.

• 2008 – Alter Globe launches in New Zealand via UBI World TV.

• 2010 - Alter Globe is added to Cablevision in the US then removed a short while later due to insufficient growth;

• 2011 - Alter Globe in Australia Alter Globes most popular programming has been incorporated into UBI's Best of Greek channel ELLAS+ to be more suited to the Australia Time Zone on UBI World TV in November. In June Alter Globe was removed from UBI due to termination by UBI of Contract due to Alter substantial reduction of programming.

• 31 November 2011-Present - Alter Channel is currently closed, viewing cards with the demands of squatters of its workers.According to the information the CEO of the station K. Giannikos has already left the channel and so far the fate of the station is unfair unsure.It is exist in the channel with 10 journalists and 15 years service and George Kouris not paying them either a euro for one and half year.Really it was unacceptable act of Digea to sabotage the ALTER sign.Also it stopped broadcasting from the transmitter of Hymettus so the Alter does not emit in half Attica.

Logo History

The original logo used by Alter Channel (it only lasted for one year) featured a swirl type symbol in red at the top and the words 'Alter Channel' below in blue. Today Alter Channel uses the word 'Alter' as its logo.

Restructuring

On April 20, 2005, Alter Channel completely overhauled the structure of its lineup, organizing the schedule into various programming blocks- Morning, Noon, Afternoon and Night. The morning block features news & current affairs as well as programming aimed at children. The Noon programming block has current affairs and entertainment shows. During the evening Alter broadcasts various serials and the main nightly newscast. At night programming consists mainly entertainment shows as well as talk shows like the award-winning show 'Fos Sto Tounel'

Shooting

On the night of February 17, Alter studios was shot up by 4 men on motorbikes carrying pistols. An explosive was also thrown but did not detonate. The event happened live on the air.

Programming

Current shows include:

• Alter Εidiseis (Alter News) – Daily newscast with all the latest headlines from Greece and around the world, at 8pm (M-F) and 6:45pm (weekends). With updates at 3:30pm 10:45pm. (Main newscast at 8pm hosted by Nikos Xatzinikolaou)

• Atheatos Kosmos (Out-of-sight world) – Current affairs program, discusses key social and political issues. Topics are thoroughly investigated and researched by host Kostas Chardavellas and his team of investigative reporters.

• Edo Kai Tora (Here and Now) – Current affairs program that keep viewers informed of the latest headlines from Greece and around the world. Features live reports from around the country and analysis of issues that affect everyday people, such as economic matters, health concerns and more. Hosted by Μaria Smilidou and Dimitri Fresko, airs weekday mornings at 11am.

• Fos Sto Tounel (Light in the tunnel) – Informative series that focuses on finding missing persons. It has been on the air for 13 years and has won numerous awards. Hosted by Ageliki Nikolouli.

• Kalimera (Good Morning) - Morning show, features discussion with in-studio guests and news from all over Greece and abroad. Hosted by Giorgos Aftias (previously at Alpha TV), airs Monday - Friday at 7am.

• Poly Bla Bla (Much talking) – A show targeted at the younger generation with an entertaining and informative topics including a look at all the latest gossip from the world of showbiz, fashion tips, games & contests, strange news stories from around the world and helpful advice for viewers & audience members regarding the problems they face in their lives. Hosted by Stamatina Tsimtsili, with Alexandra Tsolka, Nikos Partsolis, Olga Lafazani, Vasilis Tsatsanis & Stefanos Kostantinidis.

• Prosopo Me Prosopo (Face to face) - Talkshow with focus on current affairs including political, social & economic issues; hosted by Nikos Xatzinikolaou.

• Ta Paratragouda (Incidents) – Entertainment and popular series that features various guests who wish to air their problems (whether real or fake). From those who want a shot at stardom to those looking for a love connection, this program has it all. Under the watchful eye of the audience, at the end of the show someone wins the 'big prize'. The show promises surprises, new games, countless gifts and much more. Hosted by Annita Pania, airs Saturday & Sunday at 4:15pm.

• TV Weekend – Entertainment series that features gossip, news about the stars, and all the happenings from the world of show biz. Hosted by Eleni Fotopoulou, airs Saturday and Sunday at 1pm.

• Zougla (Jungle) and Kitrinos Typos (Yellow Press) – Long time favourites with Greek viewers, these talk shows focus on current affairs and gets to the bottom of issues that dominate the headlines. Hosted by Makis Triantafilopoulos. Zougla airs Thursdays at 11:15pm & Kitrinos Typos airs Mondays at 11:15pm. (returns to Alter Channel after a stint at Alpha TV; was also broadcast on Antenna TV in the past)

Alter Globe

Alter Globe is the international network of Alter Channel that broadcasts 'the best of Alter' to audiences in North America and Australia. The channel launched in August 2005 in the USA on Dish Network and in December 2005 in Australia on UBI World TV. In September 2007 it switched platforms in the USA from Dish Network to DirecTV. As of November 2010, Alter Globe's programming has been incorporated into ELLAS+ on UBI World TV. On April 1, 2011, Alter Globe was removed from the DirecTV platform along with all other Greek channels that were carried by the service. On October 1, 2011, Alter Globe re-launched in the US on the Home2US platform.

See also

• List of programs broadcast by Alter Channel
• List of Greek television channels

External links

• Official site (Greek)