Greek Television: A Landscape Worth Understanding
Greece has one of the most vibrant television markets in southeastern Europe. The country operates three public channels under the ERT umbrella alongside seven major private broadcasters, each with a distinct editorial identity. Cyprus adds its own public and private channels to the mix, creating a Greek-language television ecosystem that spans two countries and serves diaspora communities worldwide.
This guide breaks down every major channel you can watch through IPTV -- what it broadcasts, what makes it distinctive, and why it matters. Whether you are choosing an IPTV subscription for the first time or trying to understand what is available beyond the channels you already know, this is the reference you need.
Greek Public Television: The ERT Network
ERT (Elliniki Radiofonia Tileorasi) is Greece's state broadcaster, funded primarily through a levy included in electricity bills. It operates three television channels, each with a different remit. ERT was controversially shut down by the Greek government in June 2013 during the debt crisis, leaving Greece temporarily without public broadcasting. It was relaunched in June 2015.
ERT1
Greece's flagship public channel. Originally launched in 1966 as EIRT (Elliniki Idrima Radiofonias Tileorasis), ERT1 has served as the country's primary state broadcaster for nearly six decades. Its schedule centers on news programming, with the main evening bulletin at 21:00 consistently ranking among the most-watched news broadcasts in Greece.
Beyond news, ERT1 broadcasts documentaries on Greek history and culture, political discussion panels, and coverage of national events and holidays. It also carries live sessions from the Hellenic Parliament. For diaspora viewers, ERT1 is often the go-to channel for staying connected with Greek current affairs.
ERT2
ERT's second channel focuses on culture, education, and sports. Its programming includes foreign-language films with Greek subtitles, educational series, arts programming, and lifestyle content. ERT2 fills a niche that commercial channels largely ignore -- slower-paced, thoughtful content without the pressure of advertising ratings.
On the sports side, ERT2 carries selected Super League Greece matches and other domestic sporting events that ERT holds broadcast rights for. It has also broadcast Olympic Games coverage and international athletics competitions. For viewers who want a mix of culture and live sport without subscribing to a pay-TV platform, ERT2 delivers.
ERT3
ERT3 is Greece's regional public channel, headquartered in Thessaloniki rather than Athens. It was established to serve northern Greece and provide a broadcasting voice outside the capital. Its programming reflects the history, culture, and daily life of Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, and Thessaly.
ERT3 broadcasts regional news bulletins, coverage of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, local cultural events, and programs about the Greek countryside. For viewers from northern Greece living abroad, ERT3 is particularly valuable because it covers stories and communities that Athens-based channels rarely feature.
Major Private Channels in Greece
Private television launched in Greece in 1989, ending the state broadcasting monopoly. Within a few years, several channels emerged that still dominate Greek viewership today. Each has a distinct personality shaped by its ownership, programming strategy, and audience.
MEGA
MEGA is arguably the most iconic private channel in Greek television history. It launched on November 20, 1989, as one of the first private broadcasters in the country. For over two decades, MEGA dominated Greek primetime with original drama series, comedies, and entertainment shows that became part of the national cultural fabric.
The channel faced a dramatic shutdown in 2014 when it could no longer service its debts, going off the air after 25 years. It was relaunched in November 2018 under new ownership linked to Mega Enterprises and businessman Evangelos Marinakis (also owner of Olympiacos FC and Nottingham Forest FC). The relaunch brought back MEGA's signature focus on Greek-produced drama, series, and entertainment programming.
Today, MEGA is known for: original Greek drama series and romantic comedies, entertainment shows, its evening news bulletin, and a strong lineup of Greek films. It competes directly with ANT1 and ALPHA for primetime viewership. For Greek series fans, MEGA remains the channel to watch.
ANT1
ANT1 launched in 1989, founded by media mogul Minos Kyriakou. It is part of the Antenna Group, one of the largest media companies in southeastern Europe. The Antenna Group also operates ANT1 Cyprus, giving the network reach across both Greece and Cyprus.
ANT1's programming strategy has historically balanced entertainment and news. It is well known for bringing international format shows to Greek audiences -- localized versions of globally popular programs. Its news division produces one of the most-watched evening newscasts in the country, and the channel regularly leads in primetime ratings.
Key programming includes: entertainment and reality shows (Greek adaptations of international formats), a strong evening news lineup, Greek comedy series, and morning magazine shows. ANT1 frequently battles MEGA and STAR for the top spot in daily viewership ratings.
ALPHA
ALPHA launched in 1999, making it a later entrant compared to MEGA and ANT1. Despite arriving a decade after its competitors, ALPHA quickly carved out a strong position in the Greek television market. It is part of Alpha Doriki, a media company that also operates the alphatv.gr digital platform.
ALPHA is best known for its morning and midday shows, which consistently draw large audiences and set the day's entertainment news agenda. The channel also broadcasts entertainment programs, celebrity-focused content, talk shows, reality shows, and Greek series. Its news bulletin maintains a solid viewership, though ALPHA's strength lies more in daytime and entertainment programming than hard news.
SKAI
SKAI (originally Skai TV) is a news-focused channel owned by the Alafouzos family, who also own Panathinaikos FC. Beyond television, the Alafouzos media group operates skai.gr, one of Greece's most-visited news portals, and Skai Radio (100.3 FM in Athens). This multi-platform presence makes SKAI a significant force in Greek news media.
SKAI's programming leans heavily toward news and current affairs, with extensive political coverage, investigative journalism segments, and discussion panels. However, the channel also produces popular entertainment -- most notably, it is the Greek home of Survivor, the internationally franchised reality competition, which consistently delivers some of the highest ratings on Greek television. SKAI also broadcasts documentaries and international series.
STAR
STAR (Star Channel) launched in 1993 as a general entertainment channel. Over the years it has built its identity around comedy, light entertainment, and international content dubbed into Greek. The channel is part of the Vardinogiannis family's media interests.
STAR is known for airing popular international shows dubbed in Greek, original Greek comedy series, its midday news bulletin, and entertainment magazine shows. The channel has a loyal viewership that appreciates its lighter programming tone. STAR also airs movies during late-night and weekend slots, drawing from both Hollywood and Greek cinema catalogs.
Open TV
Open TV is the newest major Greek channel, having launched in 2018. It is owned by the Savvidis Group, headed by businessman Ivan Savvidis, who also owns PAOK FC in Thessaloniki. The channel took over the broadcasting license and frequency previously held by another network.
Open TV broadcasts a mix of entertainment shows, news programming, talk shows, and Greek series. As a newer channel, it is still building its audience and identity, but it has invested in original content production and has gradually increased its viewership share. The Savvidis connection gives the channel particular visibility in Thessaloniki and northern Greece.
Cypriot Channels: The Other Half of Greek-Language TV
Cyprus produces its own Greek-language television, distinct from mainland Greece but sharing the same language and many cultural touchpoints. Cypriot channels feature local news, Cypriot-dialect entertainment, and programming tailored to the island's unique perspective. For viewers in Cyprus, these are essential. For diaspora viewers worldwide, they provide a connection to Cypriot life that Greek channels cannot offer.
RIK 1 (CyBC)
RIK 1 is the main channel of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC, or RIK in Greek -- Radiotileoptiko Idrima Kiprou). It is Cyprus's public broadcaster, serving a similar role to what ERT serves in Greece. RIK 1 carries the main evening news, political programming, cultural content, and coverage of Cypriot national events.
Programming includes Cypriot news and current affairs, entertainment shows, local drama productions, cultural documentaries, and coverage of events like the Cyprus National Day celebrations and parliamentary proceedings. RIK is also Cyprus's representative at the Eurovision Song Contest. For Cypriots abroad, RIK 1 is the primary channel for staying informed about events on the island.
Sigma TV
Sigma TV is the most-watched private television channel in Cyprus. It broadcasts a mix of news, entertainment, reality shows, talk shows, and Cypriot drama series. Sigma is known for its strong news department, which produces the most-viewed evening news bulletin on Cypriot television.
What makes Sigma distinctive is its deep focus on Greek Cypriot entertainment and lifestyle content. The channel produces shows in the Cypriot dialect, covers local social events, and creates entertainment programming that reflects Cypriot rather than mainland Greek culture. For viewers who want the authentic Cypriot television experience, Sigma is essential viewing.
Greek Sports Channels: Nova Sports and Cosmote Sport
Sports broadcasting in Greece is split between two major pay-TV platforms: Nova (owned by United Group) and Cosmote TV (owned by OTE/Deutsche Telekom). Each holds exclusive rights to different leagues and competitions, meaning dedicated sports fans often need access to both. IPTV subscriptions typically include channels from both platforms, giving viewers complete sports coverage without needing two separate pay-TV accounts.
Nova Sports (Channels 1-14)
Nova Sports operates up to 14 channels dedicated to live sports coverage. Nova holds broadcasting rights for some of the most-watched football competitions in the Greek market:
- ✓Greek Super League -- domestic football is the backbone of Nova's sports offering, with live coverage of matches throughout the season
- ✓English Premier League -- live matches from the world's most commercially valuable football league
- ✓Spanish La Liga -- coverage of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and the rest of Spain's top division
- ✓EuroLeague Basketball -- Nova broadcasts Europe's premier club basketball competition, hugely popular in Greece where basketball rivals football as a national obsession
Nova Sports channels are numbered 1 through 14, with different channels dedicated to specific leagues or used for overflow when multiple live events run simultaneously. Nova Sports 1 typically carries the marquee event of the day, while higher-numbered channels handle secondary matches and pre/post-game analysis shows.
Cosmote Sport (Channels 1-9)
Cosmote Sport operates 9 dedicated sports channels through the Cosmote TV platform (owned by Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, OTE, which is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom). Cosmote holds exclusive Greek rights to several major European football competitions:
- ✓UEFA Champions League -- Europe's most prestigious club football tournament, featuring the continent's best teams competing midweek
- ✓Italian Serie A -- live coverage of AC Milan, Inter, Juventus, Napoli and the rest of Italy's top flight
- ✓German Bundesliga -- live matches from Germany's top division, including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen
- ✓French Ligue 1 -- coverage of PSG, Marseille, Lyon, and France's top league
Cosmote Sport channels follow a similar structure to Nova: Cosmote Sport 1 handles the premier event, with additional channels covering simultaneous matches. The platform also produces studio analysis shows with Greek-speaking pundits and former players, making it more than just a raw broadcast feed.
Why IPTV Is the Practical Way to Watch All of These
The challenge with Greek television is fragmentation. Free-to-air channels like ERT, MEGA, ANT1, ALPHA, SKAI, STAR, and Open TV are available over digital terrestrial television inside Greece, but viewers outside Greece cannot receive these signals. Cypriot channels like RIK and Sigma are similarly limited to Cyprus's terrestrial broadcast range.
Sports channels add another layer of complexity. To watch both Nova Sports and Cosmote Sport through official pay-TV subscriptions, you would need two separate accounts with two different providers. In Greece, this can cost well over 50 euros per month combined. Outside Greece, official access to these sports platforms is generally not available at all.
IPTV solves this by delivering all channels -- free-to-air Greek, free-to-air Cypriot, Nova Sports, and Cosmote Sport -- through a single subscription accessible from any internet connection worldwide. One account, one monthly fee, every channel covered in this guide plus thousands more.
Channel Quick Reference
All of these channels are included in our IPTV subscription, streamed in HD or Full HD quality with full EPG (electronic program guide) support:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch both Nova Sports and Cosmote Sport with one subscription?
Yes. Our IPTV subscription includes channels from both Nova Sports (1-14) and Cosmote Sport (1-9). In Greece, you would normally need separate pay-TV subscriptions for each. With IPTV, everything is bundled into a single plan.
Are the free-to-air Greek channels available in HD?
Most major Greek free-to-air channels (ERT1, MEGA, ANT1, ALPHA, SKAI, STAR) are available in HD quality through our IPTV service. Some are available in Full HD (1080p). The quality depends on the original broadcast resolution from the channel itself.
Can I watch Greek channels from outside Greece or Cyprus?
Yes. IPTV works over the internet, so you can watch from any country with a broadband connection. This is one of the main reasons diaspora viewers choose IPTV -- terrestrial and satellite signals from Greece and Cyprus do not reach most countries, but an internet stream works anywhere.
Do you include an EPG (program guide) for Greek channels?
Yes. All major Greek and Cypriot channels come with full EPG support showing current and upcoming programs, descriptions, and scheduled times. The EPG updates automatically so you always have an accurate guide of what is playing across every channel.
What devices can I use to watch these channels?
You can watch on Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.), Android TV boxes, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, smartphones and tablets (iOS and Android), computers (Windows, macOS, Linux), and MAG boxes. Our service works with popular IPTV player apps like TiviMate, IPTV Smarters, and Kodi.
Watch Every Greek Channel Today
ERT, MEGA, ANT1, ALPHA, SKAI, STAR, Open TV, RIK, Sigma, Nova Sports, Cosmote Sport -- all in one subscription. Start with a free trial and see every channel for yourself.