Sjónvarpið

Infobox Network
network_name = Sjónvarpið
network_
country = ISL
network_type = Broadcast television network
available = National; also partially distributed over the Internet
owner = RÚV, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service
key_people = Bjarni Guðmundsson, managing director
Elín Hirst, news editor and anchor,
Þórhallur Gunnarsson, editor of Kastljós,
Páll Magnússon, president of RÚV
launch_date = September 30, 1966
founder = The Icelandic government
website = [http://www.ruv.is/ www.ruv.is]

Sjónvarpið (English: "The Television") is the television channel of the National Icelandic Broadcasting Service (RÚV), launched in 1966. The channel broadcasts primarily news, sports, cultural programs, children's material and American and British films and entertainment shows. Its highest-rated programs are Spaugstofan and the Evening News.

History

The network's first air date was September 30, 1966. At the very beginning, transmissions only took place on Wednesdays and Fridays and expanded through the years. Having lost its monopoly and sharing the market with Stöð 2 a year before, Sjónvapið ended the era of television-free Thursdays on October 1, 1987. Additionally, the July pause was suppressed in 1983.

Colour broadcasting began tests in 1973 and started full-time in 1976. In September 1981, the channel greatly benefited from Iceland's connection to the rest of the world via satellite. Starting on March 1, 1982, Icelandic television viewers were able to watch daily reports from abroad on their evening newscast. Live broadcasts from the rest of Europe, such as the Eurovision Song Contest, commenced for the first time in May 1986.

RÚV's teletext service, Textavarp, was inaugurated on the 25th anniversary of Icelandic television in 1991.

List of programs (incomplete)

Domestic shows

* "Áramótaskaupið" (English: "The New Year's comedy"), an annual new year's eve comedy special.
* "Ensku mörkin" (English: "The English Goals"), a sports show.
* "Formúlukvöld" (English: "Formula Night"), a sports show.
* "Fréttir, íþróttir og veður" (English: "News, sports and weather"), the main news program at 7 p.m.
* "Gettu betur" (English: "Guess again"), a quiz show.
* "Helgarsportið" (English: "Weekend Sport"), a sports show.
* "Kastljós" (English: "Spotlight"), a news/talk program
* "Spaugstofan" (English: "The Comedy Room"), a weekly comedy show.
* "Tíufréttir" (English: "News at 10"), the late evening news at 10 p.m.
* "Út og suður" (English: "There and back"), interviews with interesting individuals living around Iceland

International shows

* "Alias"
* "Broken News"
* "Criminal Minds"
* "Desperate Housewives"
* "ER"
* "Guiding Light"
* "Little Britain"
* "Lost"
* "Murphy's Law"
* "My Family"
* "Scrubs"
* "The Sopranos"
* "Veronica Mars"
* "Doctor Who"
* "UEFA Euro 2008"
* "Eurovision Song Contest"

Children's shows

* "LazyTown"
* "Teletubbies"
* "Stundin okkar" (English: "Our hour"), a popular children's show.
* "Teen Titans"
* "Sonic X
* "Hannah Montana"

Cancelled classical or widely acclaimed shows

* "Á tali hjá Hemma Gunn" (English: "Talking with Hemmi Gunn"), a saturday night talk show.
* "Nýjasta tækni og vísindi" (English: "Latest Technology and Science")

See also

* List of Icelandic television channels