Skai TV

Infobox Network
network_name = Skai Television
network_
country = Flagicon|Greece Greece
network_type = Broadcast Television network
Satellite television
Radio
available = Continental
owner = Radio and Television Enterprises S.A.
launch_date = Original run:1993 - 2000
Relaunched:April 1, 2006
key_people = flagicon|Greece Ioannis Alafouzos, CEO
brand = "Lead The Future"
website = [http://www.skai.gr www.skai.gr]
sat serv 1=Hellas Sat Greece
sat chan 1= | |

Skai TV is a Greek TV station, based in Athens. It was relaunched in its present form on April 1st, 2006 in Athens and gradually managed to spread its coverage nationwide. Besides analog over-the-air transmission, it is also available FTA all over Europe via Hellas-Sat-2 satellite at 39°E (frequency 12524 V, SR 30000, FEC 5/6). It's also transmitted encrypted through Nova bouquet via Hotbird satellite at 13°E.

At launch, Skai TV opted for dubbing all foreign language content into Greek, instead of using subtitles. This is very uncommon in Greece for anything except documentaries (using voiceover dubbing) and children's programmes (using lip-synced dubbing), so after intense criticism the station switched to using subtitles for almost all foreign shows.

Programme

Skai TV programme emphasises on entertainment and information. The station has signed programming deals with world renowned documentary broadcasters such as National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel and the BBC and a large part of its schedule features recent and past-years documentaries. There is a Greek dubbed BBC World news bulletin following the station's own news bulletin and a news-themed morning show. Some of the most notable programmes on offer are The Oprah Winfrey Show, Doctor Who, MythBusters, , What the Victorians Did for Us, Takeshi's Castle, Top Gear, Pimp My Ride, Punked, and 4400.

Technology

Skai TV has made a pioneering appearance in the airwaves, being the first non-subscription TV station worldwide to use solely digital technology thus being completely tapeless. It uses the SONAPS network broadcast system made by Sony and is considered by the latter as a showcase example of the system. Skai also use Omneon Spectrum servers for Playout together with IBIS automation. [ [http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/ShowContent.action?site=biz_en_FI&contentId=1168443958955 Sony : Building the newsroom of the future – today : Finland ] ]

Skai TV is also the first (and currently only) station in Greece to broadcast its full programme in 16:9 format.

History

Skai TV was first launched in 1993 with emphasis in news and sports but in 1999 was sold and the new owners gradually re-branded it as Alpha TV. The new station had an entirely different programming perspective and opted for a more mainstream profile, soon managing to become one of the top three TV stations in Greece.

Original Skai TV was heavily criticized for its "yellow press" news coverage and low-budget programming. In an incident still remembered by Greek viewers [ [http://greekmedianews.blogspot.com/2007/05/blog-post_6331.html greekmedianews: ΚΑΙ ΠΑΛΙ ΜΑΖΙ ] ] and later investigated by a BBC documentary, the station was unanimosly slated for its involvement (and live coverage) of a hostage situation that ended with the death of the victim.

In 2006, the company who originally launched Skai TV bought Seven TV, a holder of a Greek National broadcasting licence holder that failed to expand its coverage all over the country or attract a wide audience. The station was renamed to 'Skai TV' allowing the brand to re-emerge on the Greek television scene after 7 years, but this time the owners decided to forego their previous approach and opted for high-quality foreign shows and valid news coverage.

From 6th September 2007, Skai TV was added to the list of Greek channels available through the Nova digital platform.

External links

* [http://www.skai.gr/master_cat_tv.php?id=1024 Official Site] gr icon