RÚV

Ríkisútvarpið (, lit. 'National Broadcasting'; abbr. RÚV ) is Iceland's national public-service broadcasting organization.

Founded in 1930, it operates from studios in the country's capital, Reykjavík, as well as regional centres around the country. RÚV operates an online news service, which is the fourth most visited website in Iceland.[1] In 2016, 88% of Icelanders consumed RÚV content every week.[2]

The service broadcasts an assortment of general programming to a wide national audience via two broadcast radio stations: Rás 1 and Rás 2; and one full-time television channel of the same name, RÚV. A supplementary, part-time TV channel, RÚV 2 is also broadcast for special events. It also distributes online-only channels and content for children and the elderly.

RÚV is funded by a flat earmarked government tax collected from every income tax payer,[3]

History

The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service commenced operations in 1930 with the launch of Icelandic state radio, Útvarp Reykjavík (Radio Reykjavík). RÚV has been a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union since 1956.

Radio

Beginnings, longwave, medium-wave and shortwave broadcasts

Icelandic radio broadcasting began on longwave in 1930 at Vatnsendhæð, as Útvarp Reykjavík, near Reykjavík, this station would later be called Rás 1.

In 1991, the original Longwave transmitter tower at Vatnsendahæð collapsed during a storm. Subsequently, the Hellissandur longwave transmitter was taken into use in 1999, making it Western Europe's tallest radio mast during its time of operation. At the same time, longwave broadcasts became a mix of Rás 1 and Rás 2 content. Longwave transmissions were intended to fill gaps in the FM coverage, serve the Icelandic fishing fleet and serve as an back up during emergencies.[4]

In 2023-2024, RÚV discontinued longwave services due its inadequacy as a backup service as most vehicles and radios do not support longwave broadcasts anymore.[5] In 2023, the Eiðar longwave transmitter was demolished, followed by the Hellissandur longwave transmitter ceasing broadcasts in September 2024 while the mast remained in place, marking the end of longwave broadcasts in Iceland.[4][5][6]

Shortwave broadcasts were used for long distance transmission, mostly for seafarers and Icelanders abroad. They were used intermittently for important broadcasts. Shortwave broadcasts ceased on 1 July 2007, after the introduction of satellite broadcasts.[7]

FM broadcasting

FM broadcasting began in 1959 at its main Vatnsendi site, later expanding nationwide. Stereo transmissions began in 1980.[8] In 1983 RÚV's second radio station was launched, Rás 2. The original station was then renamed Rás 1. In 2023, as a result of longwave transmissions retiring, RÚV committed to expanding the FM network.[9]

In 2004, RÚV launched a non-talk, automated classical and jazz radio station called Rondó, based on the word rondo. In 2020, Rondó was discontinued on FM (due to the closure of Vatnsendi site) but continued on DVB and on the internet.[10]

Beginnings, longwave, medium-wave and shortwave broadcasts

Icelandic radio broadcasting began on longwave in 1930 at Vatnsendhæð, as Útvarp Reykjavík, near Reykjavík, this station would later be called Rás 1.

FM broadcasting

Television

RÚV commenced television transmissions in 1966, and colour transmissions began in 1977. In 1981, the first live satellite programmes were broadcast, from the then-newly inaugurated satellite ground station Skyggnir.[9]

Since 1986, the year in which its monopoly as the only permitted domestic broadcaster ended, RÚV has faced competition from a number of private broadcasting companies, most notably the 365 corporation.

RÚV's teletext service, Textavarpið, was inaugurated on the 25th anniversary of Icelandic television in 1991. As of 2023 it is still operating.[11]

In May 2007, RÚV began direct satellite TV broadcasts over DVB-S, supplemented by Rás 1 and Rás 2 over satellite DTV radio, in order to service fishing fleets around Iceland and remote areas where the terrestrial network does not reach. Telenor ASA

network name	RÚV
network logo	RÚV ohf 2019 logo.svg
country	Iceland
network type	Television, radio and web
available	National; International via satellite (Thor 5) and online (selected programmes)
owner	State-owned
key people	Stefán Eiríksson (director general)
launch date	1930 (incorporation; radio) 1966 (television)
headquarters	Reykjavík
motto	RÚV okkar allra (RÚV of all of us)
website	ruv.is
tvtransmitters	146
radiotransmitters	230
language	Icelandic
net income	174 million ISK
revenue	7.9 billion ISK
tvstations	2
radiostations	3

History

Radio

Beginnings, longwave, medium-wave and shortwave broadcasts

FM broadcasting

Beginnings, longwave, medium-wave and shortwave broadcasts

FM broadcasting

Television

Programming

Services

Television channels

Radio stations

Distribution

Radio

Television

See also

External links

References