TV4 AB
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:TV4 Ident 2005.jpg TV4 is the largest commercial television channel in Sweden. It started broadcasting by satellite in 1990 and, since 1992, on the terrestrial network. In 1994, TV4 became the largest channel and remained so for a number of years. The two channels of Sveriges Television (SVT) lost more and more viewers for a couple of years. But in 2001, SVT made big schedule changes. After making schedule changes in 2001, SVT1 had practically the same numbers of viewers as TV 4. SVT1 and TV4 in Sweden correspond in many ways to BBC ONE and ITV in the United Kingdom.
The main owners of the company are Bonniers, Modern Times Group, and Alma Media. The stock is also traded at the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
News is an important part of TV4. They broadcast the news program "Nyheterna", literally the News, twice a day in the evenings and "Nyhetsmorgon", (News Morning), in the mornings.
In an interesting move, two Swedish filmmakers sued TV4 over copyright infringement in November 2004 for placing commercials during their film's TV broadcasts. This was unexpected, given that commercial broadcasters around the world normally interrupt their programs to make money. Surprisingly, the filmmakers won. Though the verdict lacks any real effect, contracts today are written with a clause that commercial breaks will take place and both filmmakers claimed it to be a victory for directors in Sweden.
Other channels
TV4 AB also broadcasts these channels:
- TV4 Plus, launched in March 2003 broadcasting sport, games and entertainment.
- TV4 Film, launched in April 2004 broadcasting uninterrupted movies.
- TV400, launched in January 2005 broadcasting youth-oriented entertainment, replacing the interactive Med i teve.
- TV4 Fakta, launched in September 2005, originally planned as a news channel, but eventually becoming a channel only broadcasting documentaries.
Availability of channels
Laws in Sweden state that all television operators must carry the analogue version of TV4 (until 2008). As of 2005, TV4 is transmitted free-to-air on the digital terrestrial network while TV4 Plus, TV4 Film, TV400 and TV4 Fakta require subscription from Boxer, Canal Digital or Viasat via satellite, or cable TV from several cable networks, including Tele2, com hem and UPC. TV4 Plus is available in analogue form via most cable TV networks, while the others are mostly digital-only.
See also: List of Swedish television channels