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Star Channel (Greek TV channel)

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Star Channel
CountryGreece
Broadcast areaNational
HeadquartersViltanioti 36, Kifissia, Greece
Programming
Language(s)Greek
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerNew Television S.A. (Giannis Vardinogiannis)
Sister channelsOmega TV Cyprus
History
Launched4 December 1993
Former namesChannel 29 (1990–1993)
Links
WebsiteSTAR CHANNEL
Availability
Terrestrial
DigeaAll over Greece at local frequencies

Star Channel is a Greek free-to-air television channel that broadcasts a mix of foreign and Greek shows. It was launched in December 1993 and is owned by New Television S.A. (a company owned by Giannis Vardinogiannis).[1]

Star Channel is known in Greece mostly for its programming style, both in terms of live shows and news content, with an increased focus on lifestyle, showbiz, gossip, and fashion news, and on "comedic" presentation.[not verified in body]

In 2013, Star started combining information with entertainment, resulting in the channel's shift to a more serious tone. Star Channel generated 64 million in net profit in 2014 which represents a 32.2% increase from the previous year.[not verified in body]

History

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Star Channel was launched on 4 December 1993 to compete with Mega, ANT1, Alpha TV and ERT Channels. It began broadcasting children's programs as well as foreign series. In 1994 – Star Channel began to exchange family/children's programs from Alpha, then known as Skai (Greek spelling of Sky) with Star's children's programming. Star Channel made its international debut in 2005, joining the UBI World TV platform, which made Star available to viewers in Australia as well as in Asia and Africa. UBI World TV launched in New Zealand in 2008 making Star International available there.[citation needed]

In March 2011, Star Channel began showing some of its programs in 16:9 – mostly television series and films – and as of April, it switched to 16:9 for all its programming, including its own shows and news broadcasts.[citation needed]

In March 2016, Star Channel started its pilot broadcast of STAR HD (1080i) through Digea in Attica and Central Macedonia on 27 February 2016.[citation needed]

Star International

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Star International was launched in November 2005 and airs the "best of" Star Channel programming to Greeks in the Asia Pacific region, Africa and North America.

Star International is currently available to viewers in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Asia through TV Plus; it operates on a 24-hour schedule.

In October 2009, Star International officially launched in North America, available exclusively on RCN Cable in the United States but in June 2010, RCN Cable dropped the channel due to the low number of subscriptions.

In May 2011, Star International re-launched in the US and was made available via satellite on the Home2US platform. In late 2012, Home2US ceased operations. The channel is currently available in North America through IPTV provider Ellas TV.

On 23 September 2014, Star International launched in Canada via Bell Fibe TV.

On 10 December 2020, Star International launched on Bell Satellite TV, making the channel available across Canada.

Former programming

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Comedy

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Title Premiere date Finale Notes Seasons
Cherchez la femme November 14, 1994 January 17, 1995 1
Doctor Julia and Mrs. Chaido October 10, 1994 November 8, 1994 1
We were so lucky October 16, 2001 December 18, 2001 1
Comedy Lab October 30, 2011 December 18, 2011 1
Crazy Family November 14, 2015 June 11, 2016 1
Love with an Age Gap January 28, 2021 December 10, 2021 2
At the border October 29, 2023 July 5, 2024 1

Soap operas

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Title Premiere date Finale Notes Seasons
The Oath of Silence October 12, 2014 January 23, 2015 1
9 Months September 21, 2015 May 9, 2017 2
My Life September 26, 2016 February 17, 2017 1
Arena March 27, 2017 July 10, 2017 1
The man of my life October 2, 2017 January 19, 2018 1
Three Miles April 4, 2022 February 3, 2023 2

References

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  1. ^ www.cs.uoi.gr https://www.cs.uoi.gr/~videosum/Consortium_star_en.html. Retrieved 12 October 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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