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96 channels
Greek television runs on a dual rhythm: the state broadcaster ERT, reborn after its controversial 2013 shutdown, and a cluster of private networks, Antenna, Mega, SKAI, Star, Alpha, that dominate ratings with a mix of telenovelas (locally called “yupothitikes”), reality competitions, and rowdy political talk shows. Primetime hits around 9 PM, but the afternoon slot is a Greek specialty: long magazine shows blending gossip, cooking, and lifestyle segments, often hosted by celebrity journalists. News bulletins at 7 PM and 8 PM are serious, with blunt commentary; morning shows are lighter, merging news with family-friendly banter. Imported series and films air with Greek subtitles, not dubbing, except for children’s animation, which is fully voiced in Greek. Soap operas began as prime-time staples in the 1990s and still hold an audience, but reality has overtaken them. Survivor Greece and Big Brother have massive, sometimes obsessive followings, with daily recaps and public voting. Live sports are crucial: Super League football and Greek basketball league games draw peak audiences, often with pre-game analysis that runs long. Music channels are quieter now, but regional stations still play traditional laïko and rebetiko alongside pop. One cultural quirk: ERT broadcasts the morning liturgy on major Orthodox holidays, a nod to the church’s deep influence. Greek TV is louder, more opinionated, and more family-oriented than its Western European neighbors, a reflection of the country’s café-table conversation culture.