CTV (Arola)

CTV, formerly an abbreviation for Commercial Television, is an Arolan free-to-air terrestrial television channel. CTV launched on December 2, 1986 as the third television service of Arola, as well as the first commercial television service in the region.

History
Before CTV’s launch, Arolan National Television had a monopoly on Arolan television. ANT started broadcasting commercials during early mornings and late nights in February 1961.

However, as there was an increase in the demand for television advertising in Arola, the Arolan government decided to proceed with the launch of a third television service funded through commercials. Commercial Television Oy was thereafter formed in late 1984 by the Arolan government and later privatised in 1985 to.

On 2nd December 1986, the following day after launched in Finland, Commercial Television began operations at 7:00am. Upon launch, it was the first Arolan television station to use an optional Finnish audio track rather than a separate Finnish-language channel. The first advert to be broadcast on CTV was the Carpet Reveal advert by Dillon Cars.

In 1997, Commercial Television was rebranded as CTV, with the abbreviation meaning completely dropped.

After its rebranding in 1997, CTV gained more popularity as programs like Arolan Idol and the Arolan version of The Price Is Right. Recent local game shows such as Speedrun: Beat Time have also risen in popularity.

On February 6, 1999, CTV introduced CTV Comedy Club (now The Comedy Club) in an attempt to boost ratings.

In 2004, CTV was briefly transferred to upon Granada's merger with Carlton. The following June, ITV plc sold CTV to, which was approved later that year. CTV became a subsidiary of MTV Networks Europe (now ) shortly after the acquisition.

In October 2015, Ahonaho High became the first CTV drama to top ratings since its premiere.

In April 2022, CTV announced the launch of a new sister channel, CTV2, on 1st July. The new channel will carry adult animations and teen-oriented programs from CTV, as well as from new local and international sources.

Programming
Main article: CTV (Arola)/List of programs

CTV currently broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, having previously only broadcast from 7am to 11.30pm from CTV’s inception to 1997.

CTV offers five different news programs across its English and Finnish feeds. CTV also broadcasts short bulletins at the start of each continuity, usually lasting from 45 to 90 seconds.

Other than its general entertainment and news programs, CTV runs an early morning children’s block, named CCTV (Children’s CTV), which shows children’s television series made locally or imported from other countries.