Corporate brand
UnclaimedERT1 is Greece's flagship public-service, free-to-air general television channel operated by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
ERT1 is the principal general-interest television channel of Greece's state-owned public broadcaster, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as ERT. It is a free-to-air service whose programming combines national and international news, current-affairs discussion, cultural and documentary content, entertainment, drama, cinema, sports, children's programming and coverage of major national events. The channel is intended to serve a broad public audience rather than a narrowly defined commercial demographic, reflecting ERT's public-service remit. The service began broadcasting on 23 February 1966 as the first regular television service in Greece. It was initially operated by the National Radio Foundation, or EIR. The organization behind the channel changed names and structures several times as Greece's broadcasting system was reorganized. EIR became the National Radio Television Foundation, EIRT, in 1970, and the broadcaster subsequently became ERT in 1975. During these institutional transitions, the channel remained the principal nationwide television service associated with Greece's public broadcaster. ERT1's institutional history is closely connected with the development of Greek television. Colour broadcasting was introduced in 1979 using the French SECAM standard. In 1982, the Armed Forces' television service was transferred to ERT and became ERT2, creating a more clearly differentiated public television structure. In 1987, ERT's television services were reorganized under the ET1 and ET2 identities. ET3 was added in 1988, while ET2 was later renamed NET. ET1 increasingly emphasized Greek productions, cultural programming and quality entertainment, although it continued to carry news, sports, documentaries and other general programming. The channel was at the center of a major public controversy during Greece's sovereign-debt crisis. In 2011, the government proposed closing ET1 and redistributing its programming across the remaining ERT television services. On 11 June 2013, the Greek government shut down ERT altogether as part of an austerity and public-sector restructuring program. ET1 ceased broadcasting at the same time. The closure prompted strong domestic and international criticism. ERT employees continued broadcasting from the organization's facilities and through internet-based and satellite-supported arrangements associated with the ERT Open movement, until police removed employees from the main broadcasting premises in November 2013. A successor public broadcaster, NERIT, operated during the intervening period, and NERIT1 used the frequencies previously associated with the principal public television service. On 11 June 2015, exactly two years after the shutdown, the Greek government restored ERT. ERT1 returned on the former NERIT1 frequencies, re-establishing the channel's name and its position as the broadcaster's flagship television service. In its current role, ERT1 provides the main public television window for ERT's news output, including regularly scheduled bulletins and special coverage of breaking events. Its schedule also includes breakfast and daytime information programs, talk and interview formats, cultural and investigative programs, Greek fiction, acquired foreign series, entertainment and sports. The channel operates alongside ERT2, ERT3, ERT News and ERT Sports within the wider ERT group. Its significance derives less from commercial brand expansion than from its status as the principal generalist television expression of Greece's national public broadcaster.
History
ERT1 traces its origins to the establishment of regular television broadcasting in Greece. The channel began transmitting on 23 February 1966 as the first regular television service in the country. It was operated by the National Radio Foundation, known by its Greek initials EIR. Four days later, a separate television service associated with the armed forces began broadcasting, but ERT1's predecessor remained the principal general television outlet for the civilian public. In 1970, the National Radio Foundation was reorganized as the National Radio Television Foundation, or EIRT. The public broadcaster adopted the name ERT on 3 December 1975, and the channel's institutional identity developed alongside these changes. Colour television was introduced in 1979 using SECAM, marking an important technical transition in the history of Greek broadcasting. The structure of Greek public television changed again in 1982, when the armed forces transferred control of their television service to ERT. That service was renamed ERT2. In 1987, the television operation was consolidated and its principal services were identified as ET1 and ET2. A third channel, ET3, launched on 14 December 1988. ET2 later became NET, or New Hellenic Television, in 1997. Within this reorganized system, ET1 developed an increasingly distinct role focused on domestic productions, cultural material and quality entertainment, while also carrying news, documentaries, sport and children's programming. The channel's existence was threatened during a period of fiscal crisis and public-sector reform. On 18 August 2011, the government proposed closing ET1 and moving its programs to NET and ET3. The proposal formed part of a broader restructuring of public broadcasting. The more decisive change came on 11 June 2013, when the Greek coalition government abolished ERT and terminated its broadcasts, including ET1. The shutdown generated widespread criticism. ERT employees occupied or continued using broadcasting facilities, keeping parts of the public service on air through internet distribution and other means under the ERT Open banner. The European Broadcasting Union supported the continuation of the signal with technical and satellite assistance. Police removed employees from the main broadcasting premises on 7 November 2013, although broadcasts associated with the movement continued from other locations for a time. The previous government's replacement broadcaster, NERIT, operated from 2014, and NERIT1 used frequencies associated with the former main public television service. Following a change in government and a policy shift away from the 2013 closure, ERT was restored on 11 June 2015. ERT1 replaced NERIT1 on the same frequencies, bringing back the ERT1 name and re-establishing the channel as the corporation's flagship television outlet. Since its restoration, ERT1 has operated as a broad public-service channel. Its schedule has included multiple daily editions of ERT News, breakfast and daytime information programming, interviews, talk shows, cultural and investigative formats, Greek scripted series, foreign acquisitions, cinema, sports and special coverage. Examples of programming associated with the channel include the breakfast service, Connections, flERT, Personally, See and Find, Sport Sunday and research-oriented programs such as Roads, Special Missions and ERT Report. The schedule has also included Greek productions such as Haireta mou ton platano, Ta kalitera mas hronia, I tourta tis mamas and Zaketa na paris, as well as acquired series including Murdoch Mysteries and Agatha Christie's Poirot. ERT1 now forms part of a wider group of public media services that includes ERT2, ERT3, ERT News and ERT Sports. Its continuing importance rests on its national reach, public ownership and role as ERT's principal generalist television service.
- 2015
ERT1 restored
[1]ERT is restored on 11 June, and ERT1 replaces NERIT1 on the relevant frequencies.
- 2013
ERT is shut down
[1]The Greek government abolishes ERT on 11 June, taking ET1 off air.
- 1997
ET2 renamed NET
[1]ET2 is rebranded as NET, or New Hellenic Television, as the public television system evolves.
- 1988
ET3 launches
[1]A third public television channel, ET3, begins broadcasting on 14 December.
- 1987
Television services reorganized as ET1 and ET2
[1]ERT's television channels are consolidated within a new structure and the principal services become ET1 and ET2.
- 1982
Armed forces television transferred to ERT
[1]The armed forces relinquish ownership of their television service to ERT, and it is renamed ERT2.
- 1979
Colour broadcasting introduced
[1]The service introduces colour television using the French SECAM system.
- 1975
ERT name adopted
[1]The public broadcaster adopts the ERT name on 3 December.
- 1970
EIR becomes EIRT
[1]The National Radio Foundation is transformed into the National Radio Television Foundation, changing the institutional setting in which the channel operates.
- 1966
First regular Greek television service launches
[1]The predecessor of ERT1 begins broadcasting on 23 February as a service of the National Radio Foundation, making it the first regular television service in Greece.
Products and positioning
Greek public-service, free-to-air general television
Generalist public television · 1966
ERT1 television service
ERT1 is ERT's flagship free-to-air general television service. It combines scheduled national and international news with current affairs, cultural programming, documentaries, entertainment, Greek scripted productions, acquired foreign series, cinema, sports and special-event coverage. The channel is designed for broad national reach and operates within the public-service framework of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation.
News programming
ERT News
ERT News is the channel's recurring news output, with bulletins scheduled throughout the day and a main evening edition. It covers Greek and international developments and serves as a central component of ERT1's public-information role.
Sports programming
Sport Sunday
Sport Sunday is a long-running ERT sports program associated with ERT1. It provides sports discussion and coverage within the broadcaster's generalist schedule.
Brand decisions
2015
ERT restored and ERT1 returnsStrategyBackground
The incoming Greek government adopted a policy of reversing the 2013 abolition of ERT.
Action taken
ERT was restored on 11 June, and ERT1 replaced NERIT1 on the frequencies used by the successor service.
Aftermath
ERT1 resumed its role as the flagship generalist television channel within the restored public broadcaster.
2013
ERT and ET1 closedStrategyBackground
The Greek coalition government pursued public-sector and austerity measures during the country's financial crisis.
Action taken
On 11 June, the government abolished ERT and ET1 went off air. Employees continued an unofficial broadcast through ERT Open-related arrangements for a period.
Aftermath
A replacement broadcaster, NERIT, operated from 2014. The closure generated widespread criticism and became a major dispute over public broadcasting and media independence.
2011
Government proposes closing ET1StrategyBackground
During Greece's sovereign-debt crisis, the government proposed closing ET1 and redistributing its programming to NET and ET3 as part of a public-broadcasting restructuring plan.
Action taken
The proposal would have ended ET1 as a separate channel and transferred selected programming to the remaining ERT television services.
Aftermath
The proposal preceded the full abolition of ERT in 2013, although it was not itself the final closure decision.
Sources2 sources
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