Alpha TV
Encyclopedia
Alpha TV is a Greek
terrestrial channel (prior to 2000: ΣΚΑΪ, the Greek spelling of Sky
). The station features a mix of Greek and foreign shows with an emphasis on entertainment programs. The studios are located near Athens
. Alpha TV is owned by Luxembourg media giant RTL Group
; previous owner Dimitris Kontominas sold majority share in the channel to RTL Group in 2008.
Alpha TV's logo, when the channel was called Skaï, was written using Greek letters
. It was Latinized and changed to a blue font in 1999, when Kontominas bought it from Ioannis Alafouzos. In September 1999 it became Alpha-Sky and later A-Sky before changing to its present name in October of the same year. The logo was retained despite the changes in the channel's name. In 2006 the name was changed again to Alpha
, the first letter of the Greek alphabet
, to reflect the channel's popularity, and used a similarity of Swiss font letters. This A (alpha) logo is similar to the Attiki Odos
logo. The font letters in 2003 changed and a circle was added over Alpha, but the two As (alphas) remain. In 2005 a new version was introduced and is colored with red, looking like the modern Adobe Logo and was updated prior to the launch of the 2007-2008 season. Ratings are now in the middle range after the introduction of Alter.
In Cyprus
private broadcaster Sigma TV
broadcasts a number of Alpha TV's programs. In the past, public service broadcaster CyBC
used to broadcast Alpha TV programs.
In September 2008, Dimitris Kontominas sold a majority share (66.6%) of Alpha TV and Alpha Radio to Luxembourg media company RTL Group
. Kontominas will continue to be involved with Alpha as he still owns 33.4% and has been named president of the new holding company called Alpha Media Group. http://www.satleo.gr/content/view/731/1/
In March 2009 the company made significant changes to the news programming output. The afternoon news show has been cut to 15 minutes in duration and now airs at 13:00. The main evening news has also moved from the highly competitive slot of 20:00 and instead broadcasts at 19:00.
Alpha Sat is the international service of Alpha TV that broadcasts 'the best of Alpha' to audiences in Asia, Africa, Australia / New Zealand and North America. Alpha Sat launched in Australia in August 2005 and in 2008 in New Zealand and is available via UBI World TV
.
In North America, Alpha Sat launched in May 2007 in the United States on the DirecTV
platform. On January 1, 2011, Alpha Sat moved to rival satellite platform Dish Network
.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
terrestrial channel (prior to 2000: ΣΚΑΪ, the Greek spelling of Sky
Sky
The sky is the part of the atmosphere or outer space visible from the surface of any astronomical object. It is difficult to define precisely for several reasons. During daylight, the sky of Earth has the appearance of a pale blue surface because the air scatters the sunlight. The sky is sometimes...
). The station features a mix of Greek and foreign shows with an emphasis on entertainment programs. The studios are located near Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. Alpha TV is owned by Luxembourg media giant RTL Group
RTL Group
RTL Group is Europe's largest TV, radio and production company, and is majority-owned by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann. It has 45 television and 32 radio stations in 11 countries...
; previous owner Dimitris Kontominas sold majority share in the channel to RTL Group in 2008.
Alpha TV's logo, when the channel was called Skaï, was written using Greek letters
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
. It was Latinized and changed to a blue font in 1999, when Kontominas bought it from Ioannis Alafouzos. In September 1999 it became Alpha-Sky and later A-Sky before changing to its present name in October of the same year. The logo was retained despite the changes in the channel's name. In 2006 the name was changed again to Alpha
Alpha (letter)
Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 1. It was derived from the Phoenician letter Aleph...
, the first letter of the Greek alphabet
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
, to reflect the channel's popularity, and used a similarity of Swiss font letters. This A (alpha) logo is similar to the Attiki Odos
Attiki Odos
Attiki Odos is a privately owned toll motorway in Greece. The Proastiakos high-speed suburban rail is set almost entirely in the median of the motorway, along its main section. The motorway's numbers are 6 for the main section, 64 for the Hymettus Beltway and 65 for the Aigaleo Beltway...
logo. The font letters in 2003 changed and a circle was added over Alpha, but the two As (alphas) remain. In 2005 a new version was introduced and is colored with red, looking like the modern Adobe Logo and was updated prior to the launch of the 2007-2008 season. Ratings are now in the middle range after the introduction of Alter.
In Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
private broadcaster Sigma TV
Sigma TV
Sigma TV is a commercial network in Cyprus that commenced broadcasting on April 3, 1995. It is a private service and is currently the second-rated channel in Cyprus. Sigma TV is geared at a younger audience, with the focus on the 18-45 age group. It broadcasts a mix of original programmes as...
broadcasts a number of Alpha TV's programs. In the past, public service broadcaster CyBC
Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation
The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation ) or CyBC is Cyprus's public broadcasting service, transmitting island-wide on four radio and two television channels. CyBC is a non-profit organization that utilises its entire income for the promotion of its main mission, which is the objective provision of...
used to broadcast Alpha TV programs.
In September 2008, Dimitris Kontominas sold a majority share (66.6%) of Alpha TV and Alpha Radio to Luxembourg media company RTL Group
RTL Group
RTL Group is Europe's largest TV, radio and production company, and is majority-owned by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann. It has 45 television and 32 radio stations in 11 countries...
. Kontominas will continue to be involved with Alpha as he still owns 33.4% and has been named president of the new holding company called Alpha Media Group. http://www.satleo.gr/content/view/731/1/
In March 2009 the company made significant changes to the news programming output. The afternoon news show has been cut to 15 minutes in duration and now airs at 13:00. The main evening news has also moved from the highly competitive slot of 20:00 and instead broadcasts at 19:00.
History
- 1993 Skai TVSkai TVSkai TV is a Greek TV station, based in Pireus, Athens. It is part of the Skai Group one of the largest media groups in Greece. It was relaunched in its present form on April 1, 2006 in Athens and gradually managed to spread its coverage nationwide. Besides analog over-the-air transmission, it is...
was launched to compete with Mega ChannelMega ChannelMega Channel, also known as Mega TV or just Mega, is a major television network in Greece. Teletypos S.A. was founded in 1989 under the name Teletypos Television Programmes S.A...
and ANT1ANT1Antenna, better known as ANT1, is a television network airing in Greece and Cyprus. The alternate spelling is play on words in Greek; ena is the Greek number 1, thus ANT1 is pronounced the same as Antenna . It launched on 31 December 1989, the same year as rival Mega Channel, and is owned by...
similar to ERTElliniki Radiofonia TileorasiThe Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation is the Greek state-owned public radio and television broadcasting corporation. It is a member of EBU.Since 70's ERT is part of the Eurovision Song Contest, organized by EBU...
Channels. It began broadcasting with a heavy emphasis on news and sports. At the time, its sister station was the #1 ranked radio station in Athens, Skai 100.3Skai 100.3Skai 100.3 is a Greek informational and entertainment radio station, the larger in audience in Greece, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, sports, culture, and comedy....
(then called 'Skai 100.4 FM').
- 1994 Skai TV began to exchange family/children's programs from Star ChannelStar ChannelStar Channel is a Greek television network that broadcasts a mix of foreign and Greek programming. It launched in December 1993 and is owned by Nea Tileorasi A.E.. The main news bulletin is called Star Eidiseis, which is currently hosted by Aimilios Liatsos...
with Alpha's children's programming.
- 1999 Alpha TV sold, renamed Alpha-Sky and later A-Sky during a transition period.
- 2000 Renamed to Alpha TV
- 2003 10th anniversary of the station
- 2005 Alpha TV begins broadcast of Alpha Australia, the international network of Alpha and signs up with UBI World TVUBI World TVUBI World TV is an Australian digital satellite pay television service that broadcasts predominantly ethnic channels. It launched in late 2004 and currently offers over 80 channels in its lineup from over 20 countries in over 12 languages.The company also provides entertainment and information...
to make Alpha Australia available in Australia as well as the Asia - Africa
- 2007 Alpha TV launches its channel Alpha Sat into North America on DirecTVDirecTVDirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
- 2008 Alpha Australia debuts in New Zealand via UBI World TVUBI World TVUBI World TV is an Australian digital satellite pay television service that broadcasts predominantly ethnic channels. It launched in late 2004 and currently offers over 80 channels in its lineup from over 20 countries in over 12 languages.The company also provides entertainment and information...
- 2008 Alpha TV & Alpha Radio are sold to RTL GroupRTL GroupRTL Group is Europe's largest TV, radio and production company, and is majority-owned by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann. It has 45 television and 32 radio stations in 11 countries...
, who now control majority share in the company
Programming
Current shows include:- Deste tousDeste TousDeste Tous is a Greek television programme. Nikos Moutsinas and Maria Iliaki forefront having with them Katerina Kenourgiou, daily at 16:00 from 26 September. The much vaunted unity became fashion fans even in the political world, grows...
(Watch them/Tie them) - The craziest group of Greek television is back after the great success of last season and promises to be even more caustic and enjoyable! Nikos Moutsinas and Maria Iliaki forefront having with them Katerina Kenourgiou, daily at 16:00 from 26 September. With new and favorite sections Deste tous! continue and will be for another season your best afternoon companion. The much vaunted unity became fashion fans even in the political world, grows. So this year, in addition to the coveted prize of lame shoe for best-dressed of the week, will be awarded and the Olive slippers, the worst show of the week. Golden TV, the beloved and idiosyncratic standup comedy of Nikos, is back in a good mood to comment on current events and television to remind special moments of the past. And of course, the famous dance of Maria is expected to stir for another season crowds. These will add several new modules and original games that will be loved by them viewers. Deste tous!, and nothing will be left standing!. Airs Monday - Friday at 4:00pm.
- Alpha Idisis (Alpha News) - Daily newscast in Greek featuring news from Greece and around the world. Airs Mon-Fri at 1pm and 7pm & on the weekends at 2pm & 7pm. Hosted by Maria Nikolitsou (M-F @ 1pm & weekends @ 2pm), Antonis Sroiter (M-F @ 7pm) and Nikos Manesis (Weekends @ 7pm).
- EleniEleniEleni is a phonetic spelling of the Modern Greek name "Ελένη", whose ancient version, Ἑλένη, is anglicized as Helen. Popular diminutives and nicknames include: Elenitsa, Elenaki, Elena, Lena, Lenio, Nitsa.Eleni may refer to:...
(Helen) - Variety show featuring entertainment as well as segments on cooking, health, astrology, lifestyle, youth issues and more. Hosted by well-known presenter Eleni MenegakiEleni MenegakiEleni Menegaki is a Greek film, television and stage actress and talk show presenter. In 2010, Forbes ranked Menegaki as the second most powerful and influential celebrity in Greece and top-ranked female.- 1...
. Airs Monday - Friday at 1pm.
- Mes Stn Kali Hara (Happily Happy!) - Weekend variety show, informative and entertaining. Hosted by Natalia Germanou, airs Saturday & Sunday at 10am.
- Stars System - Asi Mpiliou tells what the stars predict for life and future, with a lot of informations on the astrological predictions for the following week and month, famous personalities step by to talk about personal stuff and astrological questions, airs Sundays at 2.15pm.
- Al Tsantiri News - a highly successful live satirical comedy show on its fourth season that features Lakis LazopoulosLakis LazopoulosLakis Lazopoulos is a Greek playwright, actor and songwriter. His birth name is Apostolos Lazopoulos , Lakis being a diminutive. Lazopoulos was ranked 83rd by the public in Skai TV's Great Greeks in 2009...
giving 'his version' of the news. Airs Tuesdays at 9pm.
- Efialtis! Stin Kouzina (A nightmare in the Kitchen) - reality series, Greek version of Kitchen Nightmares hosted by the famous chef Ettore Botrini. Airs Thursday at 10.15pm.
- Greek IdolGreek IdolGreek Idol is a reality television competition to find new solo singing talent. Part of the Idol franchise, it is based on the British show Pop Idol created by Simon Fuller. The first season of the show debut on March 5, 2010 on Alpha TV. The second season is scheduled to premiere on 19 February 2011...
- (Greek version of American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
) It is hosted by Roula Koromila and the judges are Petros Kostopoulos, Kostas Kapetanides and Elli Kokkinou.
- Kati PsineteKati Psinete"Kati Psinete" is a popular cookery show. It's the Greek edition of the show Come Dine With Me . It broadcasts on Alpha TV from March, 30 2009 and is continuing today with great success, according to AGB....
(Something's being cooked) - Greek version of Come Dine With MeCome Dine With MeCome Dine With Me is a popular Channel 4 television programme shown in the United Kingdom, produced by Granada Television and first broadcast in January 2005. The show has either four or five amateur chefs competing against each other hosting a dinner party for the other contestants...
. Reality programme featuring a cooking competition. Airs Monday to Friday at 8pm.
- Pame Paketo (Idiom meaning "we are always together") - popular talkshow now in its fourth year, that deals with human interest stories such as reuniting people, fulfilling dreams and connecting individuals who want to correct past mistakes in their lives. Hosted by Viki Xatzivasileiou. Airs Thursdays at 9pm.
Foreign TV series
- Kitchen NightmaresKitchen NightmaresKitchen Nightmares is an American reality television series broadcast on the Fox network, in which Chef Gordon Ramsay spends a week with a failing restaurant in an attempt to revive the business. It is based on the British show Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. The show is produced by ITV Studios...
- American Idol (season 10)American Idol (season 10)The tenth season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2011 and concluded on May 25, 2011, on Fox. The show underwent a number of changes from season nine, including the reduction of the judging panel to its original number of just three judges , a returning executive producer, a new music...
- Everybody Loves RaymondEverybody Loves RaymondEverybody Loves Raymond is an American television sitcom that originally ran on CBS from September 13, 1996, to May 16, 2005. Many of the situations from the show are based on the real-life experiences of lead actor Ray Romano, creator/producer Phil Rosenthal and the show's writing staff...
- King of Queens
- Jamie Oliver's Food RevolutionJamie Oliver's Food RevolutionJamie Oliver's Food Revolution is a television series which premiered on ABC on March 21, 2010...
- Jamie's Dream SchoolJamie's Dream SchoolJamie's Dream School is a seven-part British television documentary series made by Fresh One Productions, first aired on Channel 4. In it, Jamie Oliver enrols a group of teenagers with fewer than five GCSEs into his "Dream School" - a school in which lessons are taught by celebrities who are...
- Jamie's 30 Minutes MealsJamie's 30 Minutes MealsJamie's 30 Minutes Meals is a series of 40 episodes aired on Channel 4 in which Jamie Oliver cooks a three to four dish meal in under 30 minutes.- Episodes :...
- Jamie's Ministry of FoodJamie's Ministry of FoodJamie's Ministry of Food was a four part series that aired from 30 September to 21 October 2008.-Premise:The series was based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire...
- Oliver's TwistOliver's TwistOliver's Twist is a television series featuring chef Jamie Oliver, the name of the programme is a pun on the title of Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist. Following the popularity of his first TV series, The Naked Chef, he began producing Oliver's Twist to be aired outside the UK...
- Jamie at Home
- Jamie's Great Italian Escape
- Jamie's American Road Trip
- Jamie's Kitchen
- Jamie's Family Christmas
- Jamie Does
- How Clean Is Your House?How Clean is Your House?How Clean Is Your House? was a British entertainment/lifestyle television programme in which expert cleaners Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie visited extremely filthy homes and then cleaned them to perfection...
- Crusoe (TV series)Crusoe (TV series)Crusoe is a television adventure drama based loosely on the novel Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. The series' 13 episodes aired on NBC during the first half of the 2008-2009 television season. It follows the adventures of Robinson Crusoe: a man who has been shipwrecked on an island for six years...
- Medical InvestigationMedical InvestigationMedical Investigation was an American medical drama television series that began September 9, 2004, on NBC. It ran for 20 one-hour episodes before being cancelled in 2005...
- Beverly Hills, 90210Beverly Hills, 90210Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
- The NannyThe NannyNanny may refer to:* Nanny, a child's caregiver* A grandmother * A Cajun word for godmother * A female goat* Nanny , a 1981–83 British drama series starring Wendy Craig* Nanny of the Maroons...
- BaywatchBaywatchBaywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, sans the 1990-1991 season, of which it was not in production...
- Sex and the CitySex and the CitySex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
- Mr. BeanMr. BeanMr. Bean is a British comedy television programme series of 14 half-hour episodes written by and starring Rowan Atkinson as the title character. Different episodes were also written by Robin Driscoll, Richard Curtis and one by Ben Elton. The pilot episode was broadcast on ITV on 1 January 1990,...
- Glass HomeGlass HomeGlass Home is a Bulgarian drama series created by bTV. It's a family drama and the executive producers are Dimityr Mitovski and Dimityr Gochev from "Camera OOD". It airs in bTV's primetime. In the series star some of the most famous Bulgarian actors...
(BULGARIA) (cancelled due to low ratings) - Aci Hayat (TURKEY)
- Menekse Ile Halil (TURKEY)
- Asmali Konak (TURKEY)
- Bir İstanbul MasalıBir İstanbul Masalı- Cast and characters :...
(TURKEY)
Alpha Sat
Alpha Sat is the international service of Alpha TV that broadcasts 'the best of Alpha' to audiences in Asia, Africa, Australia / New Zealand and North America. Alpha Sat launched in Australia in August 2005 and in 2008 in New Zealand and is available via UBI World TVUBI World TV
UBI World TV is an Australian digital satellite pay television service that broadcasts predominantly ethnic channels. It launched in late 2004 and currently offers over 80 channels in its lineup from over 20 countries in over 12 languages.The company also provides entertainment and information...
.
In North America, Alpha Sat launched in May 2007 in the United States on the DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
platform. On January 1, 2011, Alpha Sat moved to rival satellite platform Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
.