SVT2
| SVT2 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | 5 December 1969 |
| Owned by | Sveriges Television |
| Picture format |
576i (SDTV) (1969-) 720p (HDTV) (2010-) |
| Audience share | 6.9% (2013, MMS) |
| Country | Sweden |
| Language |
Swedish Finnish Northern Sami Swedish Sign Language |
| Formerly called | TV2 (1969-1996) |
| Sister channel(s) | SVT1, Barnkanalen, SVTK, SVT24 |
| Website | http://www.svt.se/ |
|
Availability
|
|
| Terrestrial | |
| Digital terrestrial | Channel 2 (SD) Channel 62 (HD) |
| Satellite | |
| Canal Digital | Channel 2 |
| Viasat | Channel 2 |
| Cable | |
| Com Hem | Channel 2 |
SVT2 (usually referred to as Tvåan), is one of two television channels broadcast by Sveriges Television in Sweden.
Launched in 1969 by Sveriges Radio, the channel was the most watched in Sweden for many years, but now serves as SVT's specialist television network, carrying more highbrow and minority programming compared to the more mainstream SVT1.
Debate persisted throughout the 1960s over a second Swedish television channel, following the opening of Radiotjänst TV (later Sveriges Radio TV) in 1956. Some wanted the new channel to be private and funded by advertising, but it was decided that the public service broadcaster, Sveriges Radio, would take responsibility.
TV2 began broadcasting on Friday 5 December 1969 - an occasion known widely as the "channel split" (kanalklyvningen). While TV1 was broadcast on VHF frequencies, TV2 used UHF frequencies, which meant that households had to buy a special converter box if they wanted to see TV2.
Although TV2 was part of the same company as TV1, they were both editorially independent and encouraged to compete with each other. Both channels later agreed not to compete directly with similar programmes. For example, the weekend variety shows were aired on TV2 on Friday nights and TV1 on Saturday nights.
Both channels also shared a national news service, TV-nytt, which broadcast short bulletins at 7pm and 9pm on TV2 (6pm, 7.30pm and 10pm on TV1) - accompanying this on TV2 was Rapport, a 20-minute news magazine emphasising in-depth reports, analysis and commentary. The initial format gave rise to accusations of left-wing bias with TV2 described by some as the red channel. A revamp in 1972 saw Rapport move to 7.30pm and introduce a broader format, eventually establishing the programme as the most watched Swedish television news.
The use of UHF frequencies also allowed TV2 to broadcast regional programming for the first time. In November 1970, the first regional news bulletin, Sydnytt (covering Scania and Blekinge, was launched. In July 1979, both TV1 and TV2 were placed under the management of Sveriges Television (SVT).
Having gradually introduced regional news services across the country, TV2 was relaunched as the Sweden Channel in July 1987. As part of a reorganisation, the network's homegrown output consisted largely of programming from SVT's regional production centres, although some Stockholm-produced output continued, including Rapport.
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Wikipedia