Mega Channel

Mega Channel, also known as Mega TV, was the first corporate-owned channel to launch on the Greek airwaves. Mega has been long dedicated to Greek programming, Disney content, and was once the channel for foreign programs. Megalo Kanali is the hellenized form of Mega Channel. TV shows like Oi Aparadektoi, Anastasia and Emeis kai Emeis were some of the most popular shows on Mega. The mascots of the station Meg and Ega (a computer-generated imagery cat and a dog respectively) dominate the airwaves in almost every commercial made by it. It is a division of Teletypos S.A. (Telepress). Some people think Mega Channel is entirely part of the Buena Vista Company, because the only foreign shows are showing are from Disney. It will probably be known as ABC Kids to some audiences even though it will still have the same channel (Mega Channel) name.

The station is located on the side of Mount Hymettus in the Greater Athens town of Paeania. It is broadcast on channels 7 and 25 in Athens. Signals can be received all over Greece and Cyprus and Mega Channel is also carried on digital cable systems and satellite systems.

The Mega Channel logo used to considered 10 or 12 lines. with MEGA in the middle and sometomes channel were located at the bottom. The color started from yellow, golden yellow, gold, mandarin, slightly orange at both sides, orange-rose, orange-pink, rose and pink. Today;s Mega channel logo is Text MEGA, ME- are widened to the left and -GA are widened to the right.

Until 2001, Mega Channel was the sole broadcaster of the Hanna-Barbera programs. It broadcasted the Greek language versions of The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo. The programs after the change are not included in this channel. Reruns still continue.

For almost a decade, the major news Anchor for Mega Channel was journalist Nikos Hadjinikolaou, who is now the news department director in Alpha TV.

Since 2000, Mega Channel has broadcast a satellite service exclusively for Greek co-patriots living in North America and Australia, Mega Cosmos.

Programming

Current shows include:

Filodoxeis and Vera Sto Dexi are popular Soap operas that have been on the air for years, over 600 episodes have been made for "ΦΙΛΟΔΟΞΙΕΣ" and over 200 episodes (thus far) for "ΒΕΡΑ ΣΤΟ ΔΕΞΙ".

Koinonia Ora 8, Current affairs show that examines the issues affecting everyday people in Greece and abroad. Features discussion with in-studio guests. The show is hosted by Stratis Liarellis and Dimitris Kambourakis. Airs Monday - Friday at 8am.

Mega Eidesies, news from around Greece and the world in Greek at 2PM, 5:30PM (update) & 8PM (local time). With Olga Tremi.

Mega Sabbatokyriako - Morning show for the Weekend. It features news, sports highlights, current affairs and more. Mega Sabbatokyriako is in its 2nd year, hosted by Iordanis Xasapopoulos and Erifuli Maroniti. Airs Saturday & Sunday at 6:30am.

Omorfos Kosmos To Proi an entertainment show that has been on the air for the past several years, features entertainment, music and more. It is hosted by Gregory Arnaoutoglou and Rania Thraskia, Airs Monday - Friday at 10am.

Proino Mega, morning show with news, entertainment and more, airs Monday - Friday at 5:45am. The show is hosted by Dimitris Kambourakis.

Sto Para Pente, comedy series that exceeded every previous record in popularity. Airs Monday at 10:00pm.

See also List of programs broadcast by Mega Channel.

History

  • November 20, 1989: Mega Channel went on the air and became one of the most popular channels. The first program was broadcasted.
  • Late-1990s: Mega's website (megatv.com) was launched.
  • Late-1990s: Mega became the sole broadcaster of the UEFA soccer matches and draws.
  • 2000-2001: Mega Cosmos (Americas) (channel 602) was launched, along with Mega Cosmos (Australia)
  • April or May 2001: Mega signs contract with its journalist to keep reporting, during a strike which affected other channels of broadcasting news bulletins on hold, for a couple of days. There have been several general strikes which caused Mega and other channels stopped broadcasting bulletins and other programming for one day.
  • September 2002: Mega introduces Meg and Ega (it's mascots) to its network.
  • November 26, 2003: Another journalist strike cripples the Mega News broadcasts.
  • October 2004: The slogan changed to I Love TV, the love is in a form of the symbol as I♡TV.
  • 2005-: Mega launched a comedy series called Sto Para Pente that outmarched every other comedy show ever broadcasted in Greece.

Mega Cosmos

Mega Cosmos is the international network of Mega Channel that broadcasts the 'best of Mega' programming to Greeks abroad in North America and Australia. The channel first started broadcasting in 2000 but was taken off the air in Australia sometime later due to contractual problems. As of late 2005, Mega Cosmos is now once again available in Australia thanks to a new deal signed with UBI World TV, a satellite platform that broadcasts mainly foreign programming.

Links

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List of Greek companies

List of Greek language television channels