ORF 1

ORF 1 is an Austrian public television channel and one of the principal television services operated by Österreichischer Rundfunk, Austria's public-service broadcaster. It traces its origins to the beginning of Austrian television in 1955, making it the country's first television channel. Regular programming began in 1957, initially on six days each week, and the service expanded to daily broadcasting in 1961. The channel occupies the entertainment-oriented position within the ORF television portfolio. Whereas ORF 2 is more strongly associated with news, documentaries, regional material and cultural programming, ORF 1 has traditionally concentrated on films, imported and domestic television series, major sporting events and programming aimed at younger viewers. Its schedule has included prominent coverage of alpine skiing, Formula One and association football, as well as feature-film premieres and long-running international series. Children's programming, including the okidoki block, is a regular part of its morning schedule. The channel has also carried repeat broadcasts of established programs and classic series. ORF 1 is financed through a combination of advertising and public broadcasting licence-fee income. Its distribution model differs from that of many German free-to-air television services: ORF's satellite broadcasts are encrypted and generally require an ORF card or an authorized reception arrangement. The channel is also distributed through cable and IPTV platforms in Austria. Some programs use two-channel audio, allowing viewers to select between German-dubbed and original-language soundtracks. Selected sports and drama broadcasts also provide special audio commentary for visually impaired audiences. News has remained part of the service, although its role and scheduling have changed over time. Until April 2007, the main evening bulletin Zeit im Bild was simulcast on ORF 1 and ORF 2. A subsequent schedule overhaul removed the main bulletin from ORF 1 and introduced the shorter ZiB 20 and ZiB 24 programs, alongside brief ZiB Flash updates. An attempt to replace the former evening news slot with the soap opera Mitten im 8en was unsuccessful because of weak ratings; the program was later replaced by Malcolm in the Middle. Technology and branding have been important parts of the channel's development. ORF began high-definition service preparations in 2008, with an early showcase built around the Schladming Nightrace ski event. ORF 1 HD officially launched on 2 June 2008, shortly before the UEFA European Football Championship. Early high-definition output included a mixture of native HD productions and upscaled material, but the proportion of HD content increased over time, including remastered older programs. The channel's visual identity has changed repeatedly. From 1968 to 1992, its presentation prominently used the red ORF eye symbol together with stylized versions of the number one. A green cube identity appeared in 1992, followed by the animated soft-edged cube known as the Jelli logo in 2000. The on-screen design was adjusted again in 2005, including a grey treatment intended to reduce the risk of image retention on plasma displays. In 2011, the channel was renamed ORF eins. On 26 April 2019, it returned to the ORF 1 name with a new logo and on-screen design created by Bleed. ORF 1 remains an active Austrian public television brand. Its current identity is built around broad entertainment, premium films and series, live sport, children's content and selected news updates, while its public-service obligations, advertising model, technical distribution and relationship with the wider ORF network distinguish it from purely commercial television channels.

ORF 1 is rooted in the establishment of Austrian television. The service began in 1955 as Austria's first television channel. Regular broadcasting followed in 1957, when programming was initially provided six days per week. Daily broadcasting began in 1961, establishing the channel as a continuous national television service. During its early decades, the channel operated within the developing public-broadcasting structure that later became associated with Österreichischer Rundfunk, or ORF. Its identity was represented visually through the red ORF eye logo and a succession of stylized number-one designs. From 1968 until 1992, these elements were prominent in the station's television presentation. ORF 1 developed a programming profile distinct from ORF 2. It became the more entertainment-focused service, with films, television series and major sports occupying a significant share of the schedule. ORF 1 also became an important outlet for imported English-language programming, often offering German-dubbed and original-language soundtracks through two-channel audio. Children's output was organized under the okidoki identity, while sports coverage included skiing, Formula One and football. ORF held exclusive Formula One rights in Austria until 2020; subsequently, race weekends were divided between ORF 1 and Servus TV. The channel's news role changed significantly in 2007. Until 9 April of that year, Zeit im Bild was broadcast on both ORF 1 and ORF 2 at 7:30 p.m. A schedule redesign removed that shared bulletin from ORF 1 and created ZiB 20 and ZiB 24, supported by shorter ZiB Flash updates. The soap opera Mitten im 8en was initially used in the former evening slot, but poor ratings led to its replacement by Malcolm in the Middle on 2 July 2007. A major technical transition occurred in 2008. ORF began presenting high-definition material through demonstrations and test operations, including the Schladming Nightrace ski event. ORF 1 HD officially launched on 2 June 2008, shortly before the UEFA European Football Championship. At first, much of the schedule consisted of upscaled standard-definition material, with native HD concentrated in sports, film premieres and selected American series. Over subsequent years, more ORF productions and acquired programs were delivered in HD, and older material was increasingly replaced with HD scans. Brand architecture also shifted. In 1992, ORF 1 introduced a green cube logo designed by Neville Brody. The 2000 revision transformed the cube into a moving, soft-edged form with the numeral one inside; viewers commonly referred to it as the Jelli logo. In 2005, the on-screen treatment was changed to an all-grey version, partly to reduce the possibility of logo burn-in on plasma screens. The service adopted the name ORF eins on 8 January 2011, but on 26 April 2019 it reverted to ORF 1 with a new logo and screen design by Bleed. The modern channel continues to combine public-service obligations with advertising-funded entertainment television. It is financed through advertising and television licence-fee income and is encrypted on satellite, while also being available through cable and IPTV. Its schedule remains centered on films, series, sport and children's programming, supplemented by news updates and accessibility features such as special commentary tracks for visually impaired viewers. ORF 1 therefore functions both as a national public broadcaster's flagship entertainment service and as a distinctive sub-brand within the broader ORF television portfolio.

• 2019

  ORF 1 name restored

  [1]ORF 1en.wikipedia.org

  The channel returns to the ORF 1 name and introduces a new identity designed by Bleed.

• 2011

  Channel renamed ORF eins

  [1]ORF 1en.wikipedia.org

  The service adopts the ORF eins name on 8 January.

• 2008

  ORF 1 HD launches

  [1]ORF 1en.wikipedia.org

  The high-definition service officially launches on 2 June after testing and sports demonstrations.

• 2007

  News schedule redesigned

  [1]ORF 1en.wikipedia.org

  ORF 1 ends its shared Zeit im Bild evening slot and introduces ZiB 20, ZiB 24 and ZiB Flash formats.

• 2000

  Jelli logo introduced

  [1]ORF 1en.wikipedia.org

  The logo is redesigned as an animated, soft-edged cube containing the number one.

• 1992

  Green cube identity introduced

  [1]ORF 1en.wikipedia.org

  A green cube logo designed by Neville Brody becomes the channel's new visual identity.

• 1961

  Daily broadcasting begins

  [1]ORF 1en.wikipedia.org

  The channel expands to broadcasting every day.

• 1957

  Regular programming starts

  [1]ORF 1en.wikipedia.org

  Regular programming begins, initially operating six days each week.

• 1955

  Austria's first television channel begins

  [1]ORF 1en.wikipedia.org

  The service that became ORF 1 begins as Austria's first television channel.

Austrian public-service entertainment television with a younger and more general-entertainment-oriented profile than ORF 2, combining films, series, sport, children's programming and selected news.

• Broadcast television · 1955

  ORF 1 linear television service

  The main Austrian public television channel in the ORF 1 brand family. Its schedule emphasizes entertainment, feature films, television series, live sports, children's programming and selected news updates. Distribution includes encrypted satellite transmission as well as cable and IPTV availability.

• High-definition television · 2008

  ORF 1 HD

  The high-definition version of ORF 1, officially launched in 2008. The service initially mixed native HD productions with upscaled material, while later schedules incorporated substantially more HD sports, films, series and remastered older programs.

• Children's programming

  okidoki

  ORF's children's programming block carried on ORF 1, generally scheduled in the morning. It forms an important part of the channel's effort to serve younger viewers within its broader entertainment profile.

• 2019

  Return from ORF eins to ORF 1Strategy

  Background

  The channel had used the ORF eins name since 2011, but ORF later chose to restore the established ORF 1 designation.

  Action taken

  On 26 April 2019, ORF introduced the ORF 1 name together with a new logo and on-screen design by Bleed.

  Aftermath

  The service continued operating as ORF's entertainment-oriented television channel under the restored ORF 1 identity.

  Source

• 2008

  Launch of ORF 1 HDProduct launch

  Background

  The transition to high-definition television was demonstrated through sports programming and test operations ahead of the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship.

  Action taken

  ORF officially launched ORF 1 HD on 2 June 2008, with Telekom Austria identified as the technological partner for HD productions.

  Aftermath

  HD availability expanded progressively as more productions, films, series and remastered programs were delivered in high definition.

  Source

• 2007

  Repositioning of the evening scheduleStrategy

  Background

  ORF undertook a major programming overhaul and removed the shared Zeit im Bild evening bulletin from ORF 1, seeking a stronger distinction between the channel and ORF 2.

  Action taken

  The channel introduced ZiB 20, ZiB 24 and ZiB Flash updates, while placing Mitten im 8en in the former evening slot.

  Aftermath

  Mitten im 8en performed poorly and was replaced by Malcolm in the Middle on 2 July 2007.

  Source

1. 1ORF 1en.wikipedia.org
2. 2ORF 1 program listingstv.orf.at