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List of nationwide broadcast television channels[]
English-speaking[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Type of channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1951 | EBC | National public | Formerly Euro Republican Television (1951-1976). Available in HD. |
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1976 | EBC | National public | Formerly ERTV 2 (1976-1989). Available in HD. |
 |
1989 | Three Media Group | Commercial | Available in HD and UHD. |
 |
1995 | Three Media Group | Commercial | Formerly Channel 4 (1995-2003), ZTV (2005-2007), TV4 (1st era, 2007-2020) and FOX (2020-2023). Available in HD. |
 |
1992 | 365 Media | Commercial | Available in HD. |
German-speaking[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Type of channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1955 | EBC | National public | Formerly Euroisch Fernsehen (1955-1976) and EF (1976-1993) |
 |
1987 | EBC | National public | Formerly EF2 (1987-2012) Available in HD. |
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1997 | EBC | National public | Available in HD. |
 |
1989 | 365 Media | Commerical | Available in HD. |
French-speaking[]
List of national specialiality digital television channels[]
English-speaking[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Type of channel | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1996 | EBC | National public | Arts and culture News and information |
Formerly known as ERTV III (1996-97). Available in HD. |
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1994 | EBC | Hybrid | General entertainment Music |
Previously a pay channel (1994-2015) Available in HD. |
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2010 | EBC | Hybrid | General entertainment | Previously a pay channel (2010-2012). Available in HD. |
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2000 | EBC | Hybrid (public & commercial) | General entertainment | Formerly known as ETV Four (1998-2010) and ETV Edge (2010-2019). Available in HD. |
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2002 | Three Media Group | Commercial | Feminine entertainment | Formerly Orbit (2002-2008) and V5 (2008-2020). Available in HD. |
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2008 | Three Media Group | Commercial | US drama, with comedy | Formerly FX (2008-2021) |
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2016 | Three Media Group | Commercial | General entertainment | Formerly known as Highwire (2016-2023). Available in HD. |
 |
2009 | 365 Media | Commercial | General entertainment | Available in HD. |
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2008 | EuroMedia | Commercial | Arts and culture | Available in HD. |
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2018 | EBC | Hybrid | Lifestyle | Available in HD. |
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2020 | Three Media Group | Commercial | Lifestyle | Available in HD. |
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2020 | Three Media Group | Commercial | Lifestyle | Available in HD. |
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1994 | EBC | Hybrid | Kids and family | Previously a pay channel (1994-2020) Available in HD. Also a strand on Network 2. |
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1998 | Three Media Group | Commercial | Kids and family | Previously a pay channel (1998-2023) Formerly Club 3 Playbox (1998-2003) and Playbox (2003-11). Available in HD. Also a strand on TV3 & TV4. |
 |
1996 | EBC | Hybrid | Music (contemporary hits) | Previously a pay channel (1996-2020) Available in HD. |
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1996 | EBC | Hybrid | Music (adult contemporary) | Previously a pay channel (1996-2017) Available in HD. |
 |
1989 (as a programme) 1996 (as a channel) |
EBC | Hybrid | Music (freeform) | Available in HD. |
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2007 | Three Media Group | Commercial | Music (contemporary hits) | Available in HD. |
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2012 | Three Media Group | Commercial | Music (easy listening) | Available in HD. |
| Virgin TV | 2005 | Three Media Group | Commercial | Music (rock) | Available in HD. |
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1995 | EBC | National public | News | Available in HD, |
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1993 | Three Media Group | Commercial | News | Available in HD. |
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1996 | Three Media Group | Commercial | Weather news | Available in HD. |
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1998 | 365 Media | Commercial | News | Available in HD. |
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1985 | Three Media Group (in co-operation with Warner Bros. Discovery) | Commercial | News | Available in HD. |
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2006 | France Médias Monde | French government funding | News | Available in HD |
 |
1994 | Bloomberg L.P. | Commercial | News | Available in HD. |
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1998 | EBC | National public | Sport | Available in HD. |
 |
2015 | EBC | Hybrid | Movies | Available in HD. |
German-speaking[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Type of channel | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1952 | ARD | National public | General entertainment | Formerly NWDR-Fernsehen (1952–1954), Deutsches Fernsehen (1954–1984) and Erstes Deutsches Fernsehen (1984–1996) |
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1963 | ZDF | National public | General entertainment | |
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1984 | RTL Deutschland GmbH | Commercial | General entertainment | Formerly RTL plus (1984-1992) and RTL Television (1992-2004) |
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1984 | ProSieben Sat.1 Media | Commerical | General entertainment | Formerly PKS (1984) |
 |
1989 | ProSieben Sat.1 Media | Commerical | General entertainment | |
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1993 | RTL Deutschland GmbH | Commerical | General entertainment | |
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1993 | RTL Deutschland GmbH | Commerical | General entertainment | Formerly RTL 2 (1993–1999) and RTL II (1999–2019) |
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1997 | ARD | National public | General entertainment | Formerly EinsFestival (1997-2009) and Einsfestival (2009-2016) |
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2009 | ZDF | National public | General entertainment | |
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2016 | RTL | Commercial | General entertainment | Formerly RTLplus (2016-2021) |
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1995 | RTL | Commercial | General entertainment Children's |
|
 |
1992 | ARD ZDF France Télévisions French state Radio France INA |
National public | Arts and culture | |
 |
1997 | ARD ZDF |
National public | Children's | Formerly Der Kinderkanal (1997–2000) and KI.KA (2000-2012) |
 |
1997 | ARD | National public | News | Formerly EinsExtra (1997-2012) |
 |
1997 | ARD ZDF |
National public | News |
List of cable & satellite television channels[]
General entertainment[]
English-speaking[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1989 | Three Media Group | General entertainment | Formerly Spark (1989-2024) |
 |
1996 | Three Media Group | Men's entertainment | Formerly Spark 2 (1996-2024) |
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1994 | Three Media Group | Drama and soaps | Formerly Arena (1994-2024). |
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1999 | Three Media Group | Comedy | Formerly Turner Classic Movies (1999-2018) and TCM (2018-24). |
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1996 | Three Media Group | British comedy and music | Formerly UKTV (1996-2009), BBC UKTV (2009-2023) and Metro (2023-24). |
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1996 | Three Media Group | Science fiction | Formerly Sci-Fi Channel (2001-2009), Syfy (2010-2012) and SF (2012-24). |
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2001 | Three Media Group | Classic series from the 50s-80s | Formerly TV Land (2001-10) and 3 Retro (2010-18). |
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1997 | Three Media Group | Archive content from the 90s and 00s | Formerly Lovelife (1997-2011) and The Zone (2011-24) |
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2008 | Three Media Group | Reality, celebrity and lifestyle | Formerly Diva (2008-24) |
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2003 | Three Media Group | Gameshows | Formerly Sofastars (2003-12) and Challenge (2012-24) |
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2008 | Three Media Group | Premium series | |
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2005 | Three Media Group | British, American and worldwide comedy | Formerly Spark Comedy (2005-2021) |
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2011 | Three Media Group | Detective drama series | |
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2013 | ETV | US drama & comedy | |
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2012 | ETV | Family-oriented comedy | Formerly Comedy Central Extra (2012-2017) |
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2001 | ETV | Action and thriller | Formerly AXN (2001-2009) |
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2007 | ETV | General entertainment | |
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2007 | ETV | Animé and action | Formerly AnimeCentral (2007-2010) and Animax (2010-2021). |
German-speaking[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
2006 | RTL Deutschland GmbH | Crime drama | |
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2006 | RTL Deutschland GmbH | Soaps and dramas | Formerly Passion (2006-2015) |
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2006 | ProSieben Sat.1 Media | Soaps and dramas | Formerly Sat.1 Comedy (2006-2012) |
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2012 | ProSieben Sat.1 Media | Comedy and drama | |
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2006 | ProSieben Sat.1 Media | Classic series |
Lifestyle[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1985 (original) 1993 (relaunch) |
Three Media Group | Lifestyle and unscripted | Originally a pan-European service between 1985 and 1993. |
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2005 | Three Media Group | Reality and pop culture | Formerly E! Entertainment (2005-2009) |
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1996 | Three Media Group | Houses and interior design | |
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1996 | Three Media Group | Food, drink, wine, baking and cooking | |
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2003 | Three Media Group | Gardening and horticulture | Formerly The Gardening Channel (2003-2023) |
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2010 | Three Media Group | Men's lifestyle | Formerly Discovery History (2010-15) |
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1999 | Three Media Group | Women's lifestyle | Formerly Discovery Health (1999-2005) and Discovery Home & Health (2005-2020). |
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1994 | Three Media Group | Reality shows | Formerly The Learning Channel (1994-98) and Discovery Travel & Living (1998-2013). |
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1996 | Three Media Group | Informational lifestyle | Formerly Discovery Home & Leisure (1996-2005). |
Kids and family[]
English-speaking[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1990 (as a block) 1996 (as a channel) |
Three Media Group | Children's | Formerly Club 3 (1990-2003), C3 (2003-05) and The Fix (2005-10). Also a block on TV3 & TV4. |
 |
1998 | Three Media Group | Action and comedy | Formerly Fox Kids (1998-04), Jetix (2004-10) and Disney XD (2010-16). |
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1999 | Three Media Group | Premium family movies | Formerly Toon Disney (1999-2005) and Disney Cinemagic (2005-13). |
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2000 | Three Media Group | Animation | Formerly Boomerang (2000-17). |
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1996 | Three Media Group | Animation | |
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2000 | Three Media Group | Preschool | Formerly Discovery Kids (2000-2021) |
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2002 | Three Media Group | Animé, action and animated drama | Formerly Serious (2002-2006) |
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1991 | Three Media Group | Children's | Formerly The Disney Channel (1991-97) |
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1998 | ETV | Preschool | |
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2005 | ETV | Children's | |
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2003 | ETV | Animation | Formerly Nicktoons TV (2003-06) and Nicktoons Network (2006-2010). |
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2005 | ETV | Teen drama and sitcoms | Formerly Nick Jr. 2 (2005-2013). |
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2018 | ETV | Music | |
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2017 | ETV | Classic Nickelodeon series | Formerly NickSplat (2017-21). |
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2020 | Three Media Group | Preschool | |
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2008 | Three Media Group | Children's | Formerly KidsCo (2008-2016) and 3C Mix (2016-2020) |
German-speaking[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1990 (as a block) 1997 (as a channel) |
365 Media | Preschool | Also available as a block on FE4 & FE4 Family. |
 |
2002 | 365 Media | Children (aged 7-15) | Also available as a block on FE4 & FE4 Family. |
Music[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1994 | Three Media Group | Pop music | Formerly the original incarnation of MTV (1994-2019) |
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1996 | Three Media Group | Pop music | Formerly MTV Hits (1996-2019) |
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1998 | Three Media Group | Electronic dance music | Formerly MTV Dance (1998-2018) and Club MTV (2018) |
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1997 | Three Media Group | Classic rock and indie | Formerly M2 (1997-2000), MTV2 (2000-2010) and MTV Rocks (2010-2018) |
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1999 | Three Media Group | New music videos, alternative rock, hard rock, punk, post-punk, metal, nu-metal and alternative hip-hop | Formerly TMF (1999-2010) and MTV Brand New (2010-2019) |
 |
2003 | Three Media Group | Hip-hop, R&B and grime | Formerly MTV Base (2003-2018) |
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2003 | Three Media Group | Easy listening, smooth music hits from the 60s to today | Formerly VH1 Classic (2003-2010) and MTV Classic (2010-2018) |
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1995 | Three Media Group | Electic, freeform music mix | Formerly Viva (1995-2019) |
 |
2020 | ETV | Non-stop music | |
 |
2020 | ETV | EDM, DnB, jungle | |
 |
2020 | ETV | Music from the 70s, 80s and 90s |
News[]
Knowledge[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1991 | Three Media Group | Documentaries | |
 |
1997 | Three Media Group | Science documemtaries | Formerly known as Discovery Sci-Trek (1997–2003) and Discovery Science Channel (2003–2008) |
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1997 | Three Media Group | Documentaries about society | Formerly Discovery Civilisation Channel (1997-2003) |
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2001 | Three Media Group | Documentaries about vehicles | Formerly Discovery Wings (2001-2010) |
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2009 | Three Media Group | True crime documentaries | |
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1996 | 365 Media | Historical documentaries and entertainment | |
 |
2013 | 365 Media | Historical documentaries | Formerly H2 (2013-2018) |
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1996 | Three Media Group | Documentaries | |
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2005 | Three Media Group | Nature documentaries | |
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2003 | Three Media Group | Documentaries about society | Formerly Adventure One (2003-2008) |
Sports[]
English-speaking[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1992 | Three Media Group | Sports | Formerly Premiere Sports (1992-1996) and Premiere Sports 1 (1996-2024) |
 |
1992 | Three Media Group | Sports | Formerly Premiere Sports 2 (1996-2024) |
 |
1998 | Three Media Group | Sports | Formerly Premiere Sports 3 (1998-2003) and Premiere Football (2003-2024) |
German-speaking[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1992 | 365 Media | Sports | Formerly Die Sportkanal (1992-1998) |
 |
1995 | 365 Media | Sports | Formerly Die Sportkanal Zwei (1995-1998) |
 |
2001 | 365 Media | Sports | |
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2001 | 365 Media | Sports | |
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2009 | 365 Media | Sports | |
 |
2012 | 365 Media | Sports |
Basic movies[]
Premium movies[]
| Television channel | Year of foundation | Owner | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1991 | Three Media Group | Film and series premieres | Formerly Premiere (1991-96) |
 |
1996 | Three Media Group | Movies aimed at a 16-34 audience |