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193 channels
Austrian television runs on a familiar German-language rhythm but with its own local inflection. The public broadcaster ORF dominates the dial, with two main channels delivering a mix of news, sports, and primetime entertainment that leans heavily on homegrown formats like ‘Dancing Stars’ and regional crime dramas. Commercial channels such as ServusTV and ATV offer counter-programming with reality shows, Hollywood movies, and live sports, while niche channels cater to the country’s sizable Serbian-speaking diaspora. Dubbing is universal: every imported series, documentary, and kids’ cartoon gets a clean German voiceover, just as in Germany, but Austrian broadcasters often use local dialect in their original productions, giving talk shows and sitcoms a distinct Viennese or Alpine flavor. Primetime officially kicks off around 20:15, but the real habit is the 19:30 news bulletin, a half-hour of sober, high-production reporting that consistently pulls the largest daily audience. Movie channels are plentiful, reflecting Austria’s strong cinema culture and the popularity of Hollywood blockbusters dubbed into German. Music channels still survive here, rotating Schlager, pop, and classical programming, a remnant of the pre-streaming era. Unlike neighboring Germany, Austria’s smaller market means regional broadcasters have outsized influence, with state-level channels in Styria, Tyrol, and Upper Austria providing local news and community content that national networks ignore. The result is a television landscape that feels simultaneously broad and intimate: the same primetime shows as in Munich or Zurich, but with a clear sense of place.