60 Years of ERT: The Television That Grew Up With Greece In 2026, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) marks a monumental milestone: 60 years since Greece’s first official television broadcast. More than just a TV network, ERT has served as a mirror to Greek society—documenting our history, shaping our culture, and connecting generations of Greeks across the globe.
A Journey Through the Airwaves The story began on February 23, 1966, when the first flickering black-and-white images transformed Greek households forever. Since that historic night, ERT has evolved through several distinct eras: - 1966–1980s: The Formative Years – From the early black-and-white days to the vibrant expansion of color television, ERT became the primary window to the world. - 1990s–2000s: Modernization – A period of intense competition with private broadcasters that pushed ERT to modernize its programming and technical infrastructure. - 2010s–Today: The Digital Renaissance – The successful transition to high-definition, multi-platform news, and the groundbreaking launch of ERTFLIX. Why ERT Remains Essential For six decades, ERT has provided a unique service that commercial stations cannot replicate. Its legacy is built on three main pillars: - Trusted Information: As a primary news source, it has covered every election, national crisis, and historic milestone with the gravity a public broadcaster demands. - Culture & Entertainment: ERT has been the ultimate patron of the arts, promoting Greek music and theatre, producing iconic scripted series, and preserving the nation's cultural heritage through its vast audiovisual archive. - Educational Impact: From legendary children’s programs to deep-dive documentaries, ERT has combined learning with entertainment for three generations of viewers. The Streaming Revolution: ERT in the Digital Era Today, ERT isn't just looking backward; it's leading the way forward. The launch of ERTFLIX has revolutionized how Greeks consume public content, offering a world-class streaming experience that competes with international giants. Whether it’s through international broadcasting for the Greek diaspora or 24-hour news coverage, the broadcaster remains more relevant than ever. "The story of ERT is, in many ways, the story of modern Greece — and its next chapter is already unfolding." Celebrating the Legacy As we celebrate this 60th anniversary, ERT honors the people behind the cameras and the viewers in front of them with special tributes and archival retrospectives. It is a time to remember the golden era of Greek TV series and look forward to the future of public broadcasting. ERT Historical Timeline at a Glance | Era | Key Milestones | | 1966 | First official TV broadcast in Greece. | | 1970s-80s | Expansion of national reach and the arrival of Color TV. | | 1987 | Launch of ERT3, focusing on regional development and Northern Greece. | | 2020 | Launch of ERTFLIX, bringing public TV into the streaming age. | | 2026 | 60th Anniversary celebrations and digital transformation. | . _ Hard-Core-DX mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/hard-core-dx http://www.hard-core-dx.com/ _______________________________________________ THE INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS FREE. It may be copied, distributed and/or modified under the conditions set down in the Design Science License published by Michael Stutz at http://www.gnu.org/licenses/dsl.html
