RÚV
Encyclopedia
Ríkisútvarpið ('The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service') is Iceland
's national public-service broadcasting
organization.
Operating from studios in the country's capital, Reykjavík
, as well as regional centres around the country, the service broadcasts a variety of general programming to a wide audience across the whole country via radio channels Rás 1
and Rás 2
, and one television channel
.
RÚV began radio broadcasting in 1930 and its first television transmissions were made in 1966. In both cases coverage quickly reached nearly every household in Iceland. RÚV is funded by a television licence
fee collected from every income tax payer, as well as advertising revenue. RÚV has been a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union
since 1956.
Since 1986, the year in which its monopoly
as the only permitted domestic broadcaster was ended, RÚV has faced competition from a number of private broadcasting companies, most notably the 365
corporation.
On 31 March 2011, RÚV introduced a major re-branding of its stations, new logos, and a visual overhaul to its television channel.
RÚV – which by the terms of its charter is obliged to "promote the Icelandic language, Icelandic history, and Iceland's cultural heritage" and "honour basic democratic rules, human rights, and the freedom of speech and opinion" – carries a substantial amount of arts, media, and current affairs programming, in addition to which it also supplies general entertainment in the form of feature films and such internationally popular television drama series as Lost
and Desperate Housewives
. RÚV's lineup also includes sports coverage, documentaries, domestically produced entertainment shows, and children's programming.
RÚV runs two dedicated news services – one for radio and one for television – which are among the most time-honoured and respected in Iceland. On weekdays the Rás 2
radio network includes 35 minutes of regional opt-out
s for local news coverage.
Gettu betur
is a popular annual quiz tournament pitting teams from senior secondary schools around Iceland against each other in five rounds which are broadcast on radio and TV. Also popular viewing is the Eurovision Song Contest
, to which RÚV has sent participants on Iceland's behalf since 1986. In sports, RÚV traditionally carries live coverage of such major events as the Olympic Games
and the FIFA World Cup
, although it lost the right to broadcast the 2006 World Cup, having been outbid by commercial broadcaster 365
in 2002. It has, however, now been confirmed that RÚV will show the 2010 World Cup tournament.
, the television network, broadcasts a news bulletin in sign language
for the hearing impaired. In addition, Rás 1
(Radio 1), broadcasts detailed weather reports for Icelandic seafarers and others who rely on weather conditions.
transmission
s on 189 kHz RÚV uses Western Europe
's tallest radio mast, the Hellissandur longwave radio transmitter
.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
's national public-service broadcasting
Public broadcasting
Public broadcasting includes radio, television and other electronic media outlets whose primary mission is public service. Public broadcasters receive funding from diverse sources including license fees, individual contributions, public financing and commercial financing.Public broadcasting may be...
organization.
Operating from studios in the country's capital, Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, as well as regional centres around the country, the service broadcasts a variety of general programming to a wide audience across the whole country via radio channels Rás 1
Rás 1
Rás 1 is an Icelandic radio station belonging to and operated by Ríkisútvarpið , Iceland's national broadcasting service. Rás 1 carries primarily news, weather, current affairs coverage, and cultural programming dealing with the arts, history, the Icelandic language, literature, and social and...
and Rás 2
Rás 2
Rás 2 is an Icelandic radio station of RÚV, the National Icelandic Broadcasting Service. Rás 2 broadcasts primarily news, current affairs and pop and rock music programs. The station was launched in 1983. It is the highest rated radio station in Iceland. Rás 2 is broadcasted on frequencies 90.1...
, and one television channel
Sjónvarpið
RÚV is the television channel of RÚV, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, launched in 1966. The channel broadcasts primarily news, sports, cultural programs, children's material, American, British & Nordic films and entertainment programming...
.
RÚV began radio broadcasting in 1930 and its first television transmissions were made in 1966. In both cases coverage quickly reached nearly every household in Iceland. RÚV is funded by a television licence
Television licence
A television licence is an official licence required in many countries for the reception of television broadcasts...
fee collected from every income tax payer, as well as advertising revenue. RÚV has been a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union
European Broadcasting Union
The European Broadcasting Union is a confederation of 74 broadcasting organisations from 56 countries, and 49 associate broadcasters from a further 25...
since 1956.
Since 1986, the year in which its monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
as the only permitted domestic broadcaster was ended, RÚV has faced competition from a number of private broadcasting companies, most notably the 365
365 (media corporation)
365 is a mass media company in Iceland; a service company in the fields of television, radio broadcasting, news and publication of newspapers. The firm broadcasts over six TV stations, five radio stations and publishes one newspaper and one news website....
corporation.
On 31 March 2011, RÚV introduced a major re-branding of its stations, new logos, and a visual overhaul to its television channel.
Programming
Lost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
and Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
. RÚV's lineup also includes sports coverage, documentaries, domestically produced entertainment shows, and children's programming.
RÚV runs two dedicated news services – one for radio and one for television – which are among the most time-honoured and respected in Iceland. On weekdays the Rás 2
Rás 2
Rás 2 is an Icelandic radio station of RÚV, the National Icelandic Broadcasting Service. Rás 2 broadcasts primarily news, current affairs and pop and rock music programs. The station was launched in 1983. It is the highest rated radio station in Iceland. Rás 2 is broadcasted on frequencies 90.1...
radio network includes 35 minutes of regional opt-out
Opt-out
The term opt-out refers to several methods by which individuals can avoid receiving unsolicited product or service information. This ability is usually associated with direct marketing campaigns such as telemarketing, e-mail marketing, or direct mail. A list of those who have opted-out is called a...
s for local news coverage.
Gettu betur
Gettu betur
Gettu betur is an Icelandic team quiz show, broadcast on public television channel RÚV. Each team consists of three students from each of Iceland's gymnasiums. Two teams play against each other in each episode. Two preliminary rounds are broadcast on radio station Rás 2, followed by televised...
is a popular annual quiz tournament pitting teams from senior secondary schools around Iceland against each other in five rounds which are broadcast on radio and TV. Also popular viewing is the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
, to which RÚV has sent participants on Iceland's behalf since 1986. In sports, RÚV traditionally carries live coverage of such major events as the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
and the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, although it lost the right to broadcast the 2006 World Cup, having been outbid by commercial broadcaster 365
365 (media corporation)
365 is a mass media company in Iceland; a service company in the fields of television, radio broadcasting, news and publication of newspapers. The firm broadcasts over six TV stations, five radio stations and publishes one newspaper and one news website....
in 2002. It has, however, now been confirmed that RÚV will show the 2010 World Cup tournament.
Special services
In accordance with its duty as a public broadcasting service, SjónvarpiðSjónvarpið
RÚV is the television channel of RÚV, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, launched in 1966. The channel broadcasts primarily news, sports, cultural programs, children's material, American, British & Nordic films and entertainment programming...
, the television network, broadcasts a news bulletin in sign language
Sign language
A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...
for the hearing impaired. In addition, Rás 1
Rás 1
Rás 1 is an Icelandic radio station belonging to and operated by Ríkisútvarpið , Iceland's national broadcasting service. Rás 1 carries primarily news, weather, current affairs coverage, and cultural programming dealing with the arts, history, the Icelandic language, literature, and social and...
(Radio 1), broadcasts detailed weather reports for Icelandic seafarers and others who rely on weather conditions.
Television
- RÚV television (also known as Sjónvarpið), often referred to as "Stöð Eitt" or "Channel 1"
Radio
- Rás 1Rás 1Rás 1 is an Icelandic radio station belonging to and operated by Ríkisútvarpið , Iceland's national broadcasting service. Rás 1 carries primarily news, weather, current affairs coverage, and cultural programming dealing with the arts, history, the Icelandic language, literature, and social and...
(Channel 1) - Rás 2Rás 2Rás 2 is an Icelandic radio station of RÚV, the National Icelandic Broadcasting Service. Rás 2 broadcasts primarily news, current affairs and pop and rock music programs. The station was launched in 1983. It is the highest rated radio station in Iceland. Rás 2 is broadcasted on frequencies 90.1...
(Channel 2) - Rondó – Classical musicClassical musicClassical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and jazzJazzJazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
(digital and web only)
Transmitters
For its longwaveLongwave
In radio, longwave refers to parts of radio spectrum with relatively long wavelengths. The term is a historic one dating from the early 20th century, when the radio spectrum was considered to consist of long, medium and short wavelengths...
transmission
Transmission (telecommunications)
Transmission, in telecommunications, is the process of sending, propagating and receiving an analogue or digital information signal over a physical point-to-point or point-to-multipoint transmission medium, either wired, optical fiber or wireless...
s on 189 kHz RÚV uses Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
's tallest radio mast, the Hellissandur longwave radio transmitter
Longwave radio mast Hellissandur
The Longwave radio mast Hellissandur is a 412 metre high guyed radio mast for longwave transmissions at Gufuskálar in the vicinity of Hellissandur on the peninsula Snæfellsnes of Iceland. This mast, which is the tallest structure in Western Europe, is insulated against ground and guyed in 5 levels...
.