The sudden closure of the Greek public broadcaster ERT earlier this week sent shockwaves across the TV industry in Europe.
It also drew a powerful response, not only within Greece itself but also from international bodies such as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Within no time, it began to offer technical assistance, allowing for the retransmission of ERT’s satellite channel NET around the world via four satellites, including Hotbird 13A in Europe. Furthermore, 50 director generals of public media from 39 countries signed a statement calling for the station to be restored to air immediately.
The closure of ERT appears to have been a serious political miscalculation by the Greek government and has left its own future hanging in the balance. Indeed, many believe that changes at the station – the aim is to eventually re-launch a slimmed-down version of ERT – could have been implemented without taking such drastic action.
What lessons, if any, can be drawn from all this by other public broadcasters, especially those in Central and Eastern Europe? It goes without saying that most if not all are currently experiencing financial difficulties. However, despite these many are more than holding their own in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Take Poland’s TVP and its Czech counterpart CT, for instance. This year alone both will be launching more channels, in the former case taking the total number they operate to over a dozen.
On the other hand, others, such as Romania’s TVR, have closed TV channels in recent months.
Although the TV industry is currently going through huge changes, there is still undoubtedly a role for public service broadcasting in the mix.
What has happened in Greece will hopefully focus people’s minds and ensure the ERT debacle is a one-off, never be repeated in any other European market.
