RÚV
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) | |
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| Type | Broadcast radio and television |
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| Country |  Iceland |
| Availability | National; international (selected programs via the Internet) |
| Founder | The Icelandic government |
| Key people | Páll Magnússon, President Bjarni Guðmundsson, managing director of Sjónvarpið Dóra Ingvadóttir, managing director of the radio division |
| Launch date | 1930 (incorporation) 1930(radio) 1966 (television) |
| Website | www.ruv.is Company information in English |
Ríkisútvarpið (IPA: [ˈricɪsˌu:tvar̥pɪð]) or RÚV (English: The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service) is Iceland's main public-service broadcaster. Operating from studios based in the capital, Reykjavík, and several local studios around the country, it broadcasts a variety of general programming to a wide audience across the whole country via two radio channels and one television channel, Sjónvarpið.
RÚV radio broadcasting started with the founding of the service in 1930; television transmissions began in 1966. In both cases RÚV very quickly reached nearly every household in Iceland. RÚV is funded by a television licence fee collected from every household, as well as receiving considerable advertising revenue. Until 1986, the service had a monopoly on broadcasting in Iceland. Since the ending of the state monopoly, RÚV has faced competition from private broadcasting companies, most notably the 365 corporation. RUV has been a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union since 1956.
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[edit] Programming
RÚV runs two separate news services for radio and television, which are one of the most time-honored and respected in Iceland.
RÚV also carries arts, media, and current affairs programming, as well as general entertainment such as movies and popular TV shows such as Lost and Desperate Housewives. RÚV's lineup also includes sports, documentaries, and children's programming.
Most weekdays regional sites opt-out of the Rás 2 (Radio 2) network for a 30 minute news programme.
Annually, the gymnasium quiz show Gettu betur is a popular viewing, as is the Eurovision Song Contest (to which RÚV has sent participants on Iceland's behalf since 1986). In the sports department, RÚV traditionally carries live coverage of major events such as the Olympic Games. RÚV held the broadcasting rights for the Soccer World Cup in Iceland until 365 Media Corporation purchased them in 2002 in a deal that also included the 2006 event. It has however now been confirmed that the 2010 World Cup will air on RÚV.
[edit] RÚV and politics
In Iceland, RÚV has a long-standing reputation of being underfunded and mismanaged, with its day-to-day operations constantly being subjected to political interference. Its equipment and operating methods were extensively modernized in the mid 1980s in response to the onset of private competition, but to little avail, according to critics. Another modernization program is now underway, being led by a new director whose appointment in 2005 was clearly professionally, not politically, motivated[citation needed]. In 2007, a major reform is being made to RÚV's management form. This will detach the institution from direct political interference by abolishing the Althing-appointed Board of Directors known as the "Radio Commitee". In addtion, the controversial and obsolete License fee will be abolished in 2009.
[edit] Special services
In accordance with its duty as a public broadcasting service, Sjónvarpið, the television network, broadcasts a news bulletin in sign language for the hearing impaired. In addition, Rás 1 (Radio 1), regularly broadcasts detailed weather reports for Iceland's fishing fleet and other seafarers, on AM and shortwave.
[edit] List of RÚV's broadcast media
[edit] Television
[edit] Radio
[edit] Trivia
For its longwave transmissions on 189 kHz RÚV uses Western Europe's tallest radio mast, the Longwave radio mast Hellissandur.
[edit] See also
List of Icelandic television channels
