Network Two (Euro Republics)

Network Two is a Euroish public television network. It launched in 1976, the channel is less mainstream than sister channel ETV 1 and shows new comedy, American imports (notably sitcoms and soap operas), youth content, documentaries and drama.

History
The channel was launched as ERTV2 on 1976, and initally targeted British expats with relayed programmes from BBC1, BBC2, ITV & Channel 4, in addition to American & Australian programmes. There were also some homegrown programmes, mostly news.

This initial lineup didn't work, and soon the channel was repositioned as a more upmarket alternative to ERTV 1 with arts and cultural programmes, as well as taking over ERTV 1's schools programmes in 1981 in anticipation for the main channel to launch a full daytime schedule in the coming years.

In November 1988, a new channel was announced for launch in 1989, known as TV3. Leading up to launch, many ERTV2 programmes were bought by the new channel, which led to an increased amount of new programmes from the Euro Republics.

In March 1989, to compete with TV3, ERTV 2 was given a major revamp and became Network Two, a week after TV3 launched.

As part of this new station ERTV extended its children's programming starting with preschool strand After 2 at 14:15 and the pre-teen slot, 3:45 Live at 15:45 until 18:00, effectively Network 2's afternoon schedule was a children's channel. Duo, a youth strand, would air each week night at 18:00 following 3:45 Live. It preceded the new teenage soap opera Rivertown, which later moved to ERTV1. All these changes were brought to air on the day the newly-branded channel was launched - 3rd March, 1989. This was unusual as that day was a Friday, meaning the shows would not air again the following two days. TV3 managed to override this a week earlier by showing a launch show for all of primetime.

Originally, Emmerdale was to be the channel's flagship soap, whilst Rivertown was going to air on ERTV1, but the shows were swapped when Emmerdale was deemed to older-skewing for Network 2.

This rebrand was very successful, however there were many intended shows that Network 2 eventually didn't air. It was openly stated that the channel wanted to air Australian soap opera Home & Away, before TV3 bought the show, however, said show did eventually come to the channel in 2005.

In Autumn 2020, Network Two was relaunched to target the 16-34 demographic, in an attempt to boost ratings after an abysmal 2019, where it dropped to #4. This culminated with the debuts of The Circle & The Masked Singer.

Current

 * Sony Pictures Entertainment
 * Paramount Pictures (shared with TV3)
 * SGX Films
 * Netflix
 * Lionsgate (shared with TV3)

Euro Republics reality shows

 * The Circle (2020-present)
 * The Masked Singer (2020-present)
 * I Can See Your Voice (2021-present)

Euro Republics comedy

 * This Hour Has The Euro Republics 22 Minutes (2020-present; previously on ETV1 and GO)

News

 * ER Tonight (1983-present)
 * Sky News at 10 (delayed) (2000-present)

Soap operas

 * Home and Away (2005-present; previously on TV3)
 * Emmerdale (1983-present)
 * Shortland Street (2005-present)

Sitcoms and animation

 * The Big Bang Theory (2008-present)
 * Young Sheldon (2018-present)
 * The Cleveland Show (2019-present)
 * Final Space (2018-present)
 * South Park (2019-present)
 * Crossing Swords (2020-present)
 * Housebroken (2021-present)

Game shows

 * Deal or No Deal ER (2007-present)
 * Wheel of Fortune (USA) (1987-present; moved from ETV One)
 * Secret Cash Orbs (KUB) (2006-present)

International drama

 * Wolf Howl (2017-present)
 * T@gged (2017-present)
 * All Night (2018-present)
 * The Handmaid's Tale (2017-present)
 * Criminal Minds (2006-present)

International comedy

 * Just For Laughs: Gags (2020-present)
 * Just For Laughs: All Access (2020-present)

News

 * ETV World News (1991-present)
 * Sky News (2000-present)

Children’s

 * Bluey (2019) (moved to SBS)
 * Floral Magican Mary Bell (1994-1998)

News

 * The Nine O’Clock News (1983-2000)
 * ITN News at Ten (1983-1988)