| Alter Channel |
 |
| Alter Channel logo |
| Launched | 1994 |
| Owned by | Eleftheri Tileorasi S.A |
| Picture format | 576i (PAL) |
| Country |  Greece |
| Formerly called | Channel 5 (1994-2000) |
| Website | Alter Channel |
| Availability |
| Satellite |
| NOVA Greece | Channel 108 |
Alter Channel better known as Alter, is a private network in Greece. It launched in 1994 and is owned by Eleftheri Tileorasi S.A, which is headed by Andreas Kouris. Programing is comprised mainly of news & current affairs shows and entertainment programmes. Alter currently features what is arguably the best news team in Greek television featuring popular news anchor Nikos Hatzinikolaou, morning show host Giorgos Aftias and controversial but popular investigative reporter Makis Triantafyllopoulos. Alter also airs the award-winning program Fos Sto Tounel, a program that tracks down missing persons. It also features a strong lineup of children's programming that airs daily.
Alter Channel launched in 1994 as 'Channel 5'. In a transitional period (it was co-owned at that second period by 'Altec' and 'Kouris Media Group') it was named Alter 5 and on 27 October 2000 it re-branded yet again this time as Alter Channel.
[edit] History
- 2001–2002 – Alter was launched to make room for a probability of popularity trying to compete with other Greek networks being the top 10 channel.
- 2002 – Alter Eidiseis (Alter News Bulletin) peaks at 250,000, surpassing almost any channel but Star, being the #1 news broadcast.
- 2002 (September) – Alter moves the news programming from 6PM Balkan-Nile (GMT+2) (5PM Cen. Europe-Cen. Africa Time/GMT+1) to an hour and twenty minutes later to compete with other channels, and probably replace ANT1 news schedules, Star Channel did the same.)
- 2003 (October) – Head of Alter and Tempo were fired.
- 2005 – Alter launches Alter Globe, an international service featuring the best of Alter in North America (Aug. 24) on Dish Network and Australia and Asia – Africa (December) on UBI World TV.
- 2007 – Alter Globe was removed from the Dish Network platform in the US on August 31, 2007, and debuted on rival platform DirecTV on September 26, 2007.
- 2008 – Alter Globe launches in New Zealand via UBI World TV.
[edit] Logo History
The original logo used by Alter Channel (it only lasted for one year) featured a swirl type symbol in red at the top and the words 'Alter Channel' below in blue. Today Alter Channel uses the word 'Alter' as its logo.
[edit] Restructuring
On April 20, 2005, Alter Channel completely overhauled the structure of its lineup, organizing the schedule into various programming blocks- Morning, Noon, Afternoon and Night. The morning block features news & current affairs as well as programming aimed at children. The Noon programming block has current affairs and entertainment shows. During the evening Alter broadcasts various serials and the main nightly newscast. At night programming consists mainly entertainment shows as well as talk shows like the award-winning show 'Fos Sto Tounel'
[edit] Shooting
On the night of February 17th, Alter studios was shot up by 4 men on motorbikes carrying pistols. An explosive was also thrown but did not detonate. The event happened live on the air.
[edit] Programming
Current shows include:
- Alter Εidiseis – Daily newscast with all the latest headlines from Greece and around the world, at 8:30am, 3:45pm and 8pm. With updates at 11:45pm. (Main newscast at 8pm hosted by Nikos Xatzinikolaou)
- Atheatos Kosmos – Current affairs program, discusses key social and political issues. Topics are thoroughly investigated and researched by host Kostas Xardavellas and his tema of investigative reporters.
- Fos Sto Tounel – Informative series that focuses on finding missing persons. It has been on the air for 12 years and has won numerous awards. Hosted by Ageliki Nikolouli.
- Kalimera - Morning show, features discussion with in-studio guests and news from all over Greece and abroad. The show is hosted by Giorgos Aftias (previously at Alpha TV). Airs Monday - Friday at 7am.
- Edo Kai Tora (Here and Now) – Current affairs program that keep viewers informed of the latest headlines from Greece and around the world. Features live reports from around the country and analysis of issues that affect everyday people, such as economic matters, health concerns and more. Hosted by Μaria Smilidou and Dimitri Fresko, airs weekday mornings at 11am.
- Οi Pyles Tou Anexhgitou- Informative discussion that examines issues and events that remain unsolved, a look at the unexplained. With the help of leading scientists, researchers and specialized teams, the program sheds light on the travels of the soul, issues from the archives of science that were labelled as 'unexplained' and on messages from the past and the future. Hosted by Kostas Xardavellas, airs Saturdays at 11:30pm.
- Poly Bla Bla – A show targeted at the younger generation with an entertaining and informative topics including a look at all the latest gossip from the world of showbiz, fashion tips, games & contests, strange news stories from around the world and helpful advice for viewers & audience members regarding the problems they face in their lives. Hosted by Fay Skorda, with Tania Makri and Tasos Roussos.
- TV Weekend – Entertainment series that features gossip, news about the stars, and all the happenings from the world of show biz. Hosted by Stamatina Tsimtsili, airs Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.
- Ta Paratragouda – Entertainment and popular series that features various guests who wish to air their problems (whether real or fake). From those who want a shot at stardom to those looking for a love connection, this program has it all. Under the watchful eye of the audience, at the end of the show someone wins the 'big prize'. The show promises surprises, new games, countless gifts and much more. Hosted by Annita Pania, airs Saturday & Sunday at 4:15pm.
- Τo Party Tis Zois Sou – Entertainment show featuring distinguished personalities from politics, the arts and show biz get together and celebrate, reminisce about old times, talk about their lives and experiences. Full of fun, song and dance. Hosted by Akis Paulopoulos, airs Sunday at 9pm. After its sixth season premiere on fall 2009 it was cancelled due to low 15-44 demo ratings.Three shows was produced prior the cancellation which was aired on late night Saturdays.
- Zougla and Kitrinos Typos – Long time favourites with Greek viewers, these talk shows focus on current affairs and gets to the bottom of issues that dominate the headlines. Hosted by Makis Triantafilopoulos. Zougla airs Thursdays at 11:15pm & Kitrinos Typos airs Mondays at 11:15pm. (returns to Alter Channel after a stint at Alpha TV; was also broadcast on Antenna TV in the past)
[edit] Ratings
ALTER is straggling with the ratings this season especially in prime time.However the late night talk shows averaged 20% rating and sometimes nearly get a 35% rating.ALTER is schedule to do many changes in its program for 2009 fall especially in daytime.For 2007–2008 season it placed 4th beating Net and Star getting a 11% rating. Alter's prime time which include Hollywood movies and talk shows was beaten from all major Greek network including MEGA,ANT1,ALPHA,STAR,NET and placed sixth averaged a 7% rating.On March 1st Rania Thraskia announced on Lifestyle that her talk show Koitao brosta will not come back for a forth season make it the first show on Alter which is canceled for 2009–2010.It was later announced that Rania Thraskia work on a new project with Alter.At the season finale of Marieta's Chrousalas show's I Ellada Paizei Marieta announced that the show won't come back for a fourth season due to low ratings.It was rumored that her place will take Fey Skorda.Fey's Skorda place on Poli Bla Bla will probably take the former show's correspondent Stamatina Tsimtsili.However Fey Skorda will stay on the successful lifestyle magazine show.Marietas Chrousala's slot is given to the new informative show Edo kai Tora.
[edit] Alter Globe
Alter Globe is the international network of Alter Channel that broadcasts 'the best of Alter' to audiences in North America and Australia. The channel launched in August 2005 in the USA on Dish Network and in December 2005 in Australia on UBI World TV. Alter Globe operates on a 24-hour schedule. In September 2007 it switched platforms in the USA from Dish Network to DirecTV.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
