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 CGI 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.
Since 2000, Mega Channel has broadcast a satellite service exclusively for Greek expatriots living in North America and Australia, Mega Cosmos.
Programming
Note: most of the programs are written in English:
- Ta Gegonota or Mega Channel News , (as said on DISH Network) - news from Greece and around the globe.
For other programs, see 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 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.
External links
See also