MEGA Channel, also known as MEGA TV or just MEGA, is a television network in Greece, that broadcasts a mix of foreign and Greek programming. It is the first and the oldest private television network in Greece.

History

Mega Channel (1989–2018)

Mega is the first private television station to launch in Greece on 20 November 1989 and was the trade name of Teletypos S.A. (Τηλέτυπος A.E.) The channel regularly achieved the top ratings spot in Greece through its varied programming including comedies, dramas, news, current affairs and entertainment shows. Examples include the popular Greek comedies Sto Para Pente, Savatogenimmenes and Maria, i Aschimi. The channel was also granted the rights to Victoria Hislop's novel The Island. This became a 26 episode drama series called To Nisi. The show was the most expensive show in Greek television history with a budget of €4 million.

Financial problems and subsequent closure

Since 2012, the parent company had been experiencing financial issues due to poor borrowing practises. In 2016, the channels debts were reported to be approximately €116 million. At the same time, reports of staff being unpaid began to emerge. In 2016, it was reported that the company was restructuring loans in order to continue operations. This was despite the fact the company didn't proceed with a share capital increase of 15 million euros that was agreed in exchange for the banks agreeing to extend their return to 2021. The staff of Mega Channel continued to keep the channel on air despite not being paid and being ignored by the parent company. The decision was taken to cease all news and live programming and instead focus on rebroadcasting content from their extensive program library without commercial breaks. Mega continued broadcasting until it was removed from the platforms. The channel was removed by Digea (the company responsible for digital over-the-air broadcasting in Greece) at 02:08:36 on the morning of 28th October 2018. The channel was then also removed from pay-TV platforms on 20 November 2018. The channel did continue to broadcast via online streaming from its webpage.

Sale of assets

On 1 November 2019, the Mega Channel branding, logo and vast program library were put up for auction. The winning bid of €33,999,999 belonged to Alter Ego Mass Media Co. S.A.

Mega Channel (2019–present)

Following the auction, plans were put in place to re-launch Mega. On 20 November 2019, the channel relaunched with a variety of live programming, news, movies and selected programs from its program library. The channel was using the familiar 'Mega Mou' (My Mega) on-screen branding that was originally used between 2010 and 2014 as well as the new tag line of Mega όπως πάντα! (Mega as always!). However, on June 27, 2021, the channel retired the 'Mega Mou' branding and began to use a new ident package in which objects form the logo. Under the ownership of Alter Ego, the channel is now located at 340 Syngrou Avenue, Kallithea, Athens, Greece.

Current Programming

Programming for the 2023-2024 broadcasting season includes:

Greek

Current shows include: Current series include:

Foreign series

Sports broadcasting rights

Slogans and branding

Mega Channel (1989–2019) Unofficial slogans Mega Channel (2019–present)

Logo and copyrights

The original Mega logo consisted of 10 or 12 multicoloured lines with MEGA in the middle with the word channel located at the bottom. Mega then launched a new logo in 1999 with the text 'MEGA', with 'ME' widened to the left and 'GA' widened to the right. This logo is still in use today. The channel does regularly refresh its on-screen branding using the current seasons slogan. The channel also uses special idents at Christmas and Easter.

MEGA Cosmos

MEGA Cosmos is the international service of Mega Channel that broadcasts the 'best of Mega' programming to Greeks abroad. It was first launched as Mega Channel Australia and then re-branded to Mega Cosmos using a common feed for Australia and North America. In October 2022, MEGA Cosmos re-launched in Canada via Odyssey Television Network, available via Bell Fibe TV, Bell Satellite TV & Rogers Cable. The original incarnation of MEGA Cosmos was available in

Ownership

Current

Alter Ego Mass Media Co. S.A. - Epixeirisi Meson Mazikis Enimerosis

Former

Teletypos S.A. of Television Programmes (100%)

Participations

Former participations: