TV3 (Sweden)
Encyclopedia
TV3 is a television channel targeted at a Swedish language
audience owned by Viasat
(MTG). It was founded on 31 December 1987 by entrepreneur Jan Stenbeck
as joint Scandinavian channel, but Denmark and Norway soon got their own versions of TV3. It was one of the first channels on the Astra 1A
satellite.
The programming output is mixed and several kinds of programs have been shown on the channel over the years. In 2006, it has settled as a channel mostly for entertainment with an outspoken slight female approach. In addition to imported series and sitcoms, TV3 does also show many major sporting events, factual programs, news updates, reality series, game shows and morning children's programs.
Acquired programming on TV3 include The Simpsons
, NCIS
, The Nanny
, Weeds
, Charmed
and My Name Is Earl
. Original programming includes reality and game shows like Expedition: Robinson (Bought from SVT
after Season 7) as well as some factual and news programs.
TV3 is available in virtually all cable networks, as well as from MTG's own satellite platform Viasat
. It is now also available on the competing Canal Digital
satellite platform.
Although MTG applied for analogue terrestrial licences several times, they never received one. When digital terrestrial television (DTT) started in 1999 TV3 did get a license and started broadcasting in 2000, but they decided to withdraw their terrestrial broadcasts in August 2001. In 2003, they applied for a licence again and started broadcasting in the DTT network again in March 2004. This time they decided to broadcast free-to-air
, but the signal got scrambled in September, being only available to Boxer
subscribers.
After having used a 3 surrounded by a circle as its logo since the start of the channel, on 7 September 2009 it was dropped for a new logo consisting of a 3 with a dash underneath. The new logo was developed in cooperation with the New York-based graphics studio Trollbäck + Company
and comes with a complete graphical makeover and the new tagline Strong Feelings, Strong Characters. The remake also includes some adjustments to the programming in an overall attempt to give the channel a clearer and more targeted profile. The objective of the changes was to make MTG's television channels (also including TV6 and TV8) more popular than the TV4 Group in the 15-49 demographic.
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
audience owned by Viasat
Viasat
Viasat is a DBS distributor and TV broadcaster, owned by the Swedish media conglomerate Modern Times Group. Broadcasting from London, the target markets are in the Nordic and the Baltic Countries...
(MTG). It was founded on 31 December 1987 by entrepreneur Jan Stenbeck
Jan Stenbeck
Jan Stenbeck was a Swedish media owner. He was brother of the former Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Margaretha af Ugglas...
as joint Scandinavian channel, but Denmark and Norway soon got their own versions of TV3. It was one of the first channels on the Astra 1A
Astra 1A
Astra 1A was the first satellite launched and operated by SES . During its early days, it was often referred to as the Astra Satellite, as SES only operated one satellite originally....
satellite.
The programming output is mixed and several kinds of programs have been shown on the channel over the years. In 2006, it has settled as a channel mostly for entertainment with an outspoken slight female approach. In addition to imported series and sitcoms, TV3 does also show many major sporting events, factual programs, news updates, reality series, game shows and morning children's programs.
Acquired programming on TV3 include The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, NCIS
NCIS (TV series)
NCIS, formerly known as NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is an American police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S...
, The Nanny
The Nanny (TV series)
The Nanny is an American television sitcom co-produced by Sternin & Fraser Ink, Inc., and Fran Drescher in association with TriStar Television for the CBS network...
, Weeds
Weeds (TV series)
Weeds is an American television comedy created by Jenji Kohan and produced by Tilted Productions in association with Lionsgate Television. The central character is Nancy Botwin , a widowed mother of two boys who begins selling marijuana to support her family after her husband dies suddenly of a...
, Charmed
Charmed
Charmed is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the now defunct The WB Television Network. The series was created in 1998 by writer Constance M...
and My Name Is Earl
My Name Is Earl
My Name Is Earl is an American television comedy series created by Greg Garcia that was originally broadcast on the NBC television network from September 20, 2005, to May 14, 2009, in the United States...
. Original programming includes reality and game shows like Expedition: Robinson (Bought from SVT
Sveriges Television
Sveriges Television AB , Sweden's Television, is a national television broadcaster based in Sweden, funded by a compulsory fee to be paid by all television owners...
after Season 7) as well as some factual and news programs.
TV3 is available in virtually all cable networks, as well as from MTG's own satellite platform Viasat
Viasat
Viasat is a DBS distributor and TV broadcaster, owned by the Swedish media conglomerate Modern Times Group. Broadcasting from London, the target markets are in the Nordic and the Baltic Countries...
. It is now also available on the competing Canal Digital
Canal Digital
Canal Digital is a Scandinavian television distributor and internet service provider that was founded in March 1997 as a joint venture between the French pay-TV company Canal+ and the Norwegian telecommunications operator Telenor...
satellite platform.
Although MTG applied for analogue terrestrial licences several times, they never received one. When digital terrestrial television (DTT) started in 1999 TV3 did get a license and started broadcasting in 2000, but they decided to withdraw their terrestrial broadcasts in August 2001. In 2003, they applied for a licence again and started broadcasting in the DTT network again in March 2004. This time they decided to broadcast free-to-air
Free-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
, but the signal got scrambled in September, being only available to Boxer
Boxer TV Access
Boxer TV Access is a Swedish company providing pay television channels on the digital terrestrial television network in Sweden. Modeled on the British ITV Digital, it was founded in October 1999. Some channels on the Swedish DTT are free-to-air, but most of the channels require subscription from...
subscribers.
After having used a 3 surrounded by a circle as its logo since the start of the channel, on 7 September 2009 it was dropped for a new logo consisting of a 3 with a dash underneath. The new logo was developed in cooperation with the New York-based graphics studio Trollbäck + Company
Trollbäck + Company
Trollbäck + Company is a New York-based creative studio producing graphics, design and live action for advertising, broadcast, and entertainment...
and comes with a complete graphical makeover and the new tagline Strong Feelings, Strong Characters. The remake also includes some adjustments to the programming in an overall attempt to give the channel a clearer and more targeted profile. The objective of the changes was to make MTG's television channels (also including TV6 and TV8) more popular than the TV4 Group in the 15-49 demographic.