By Phaedon Boukas, Athens Correspondent
ATHENS – In a move designed to bring a bridge to the Diaspora, Greece’s state TV channel ERT has replaced the BBC with its own international channel, ERT Cosmos, that will use English subtitles.
While the station hailed the decision that further extends its reach to Greeks around the world along with the streaming platform ERTFLIX, the change means the 20,000-24,000 American expatriates, an equal number of British, and other English speakers will have fewer options for English language channels.
ERT said its plan was part of a “digital sovereignty initiative,” and comes after Germany’s state broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) closed its 62-year-old Greek department over budget restrictions.
BBC News and DW are still accessible on the free ERTFlix streaming app or through satellite or paid cable providers, leaving French TV5 Monde and Cyprus’ RIK Sat the last foreign-based services on the terrestrial multiplex.
English language content is now only largely available through pay-TV providers such as Cosmote TV or Nova, smart TV apps, and streaming platforms, with digital technology allowing access through phones, computers and devices.
A video – in Greek – announcing the launch of ERT Cosmos – in English subtitles – said, “The world is changing and with it, we are changing too.” It added it “continues to broadcast wherever Greeks are found, the mission being, “With Greek culture taking center stage,” not emphasizing world news.
Dawn Gursky, 69, of Michigan said while she and her husband, who were visiting Greece, were interested in their travels that it would have been helpful to watch world news in English on TV in their hotel.
“He wants to know everything that’s going on,” she told Greek News USA. “It doesn’t matter to me but it matters to him very much,” she said, a concern for some of the millions of tourists in Greece as well.
ERT Cosmos replaces ERT WORLD, which had been the link to the Diaspora for news in and about Greece, and targeted expatriates and Greek heritage residents, particularly in the United States, Canada and Germany.
But ERT Cosmos is not the BBC and the difference is stark for those in Greece used to watching the British station that featured news from around the world, its replacement focusing on Greece and Greek culture.
ERT’s strategy was designed to provide news, culture and entertainment mainly to Greek expats and Greek speakers worldwide – many of whom will listen to the audio without needing the subtitles.
The move also allowed ERT to reclaim digital space, much the same way an airline can gain a coveted spot at a popular airport if another carrier discontinues service or is moved out.
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GREECE
The English language subtitles will allow non-Greek speakers to follow the news, if somewhat disjointed, and be helpful to those abroad, but more tedious for travelers or English speaking residents and expats in Greece.
The English subtitles have been problematic for some viewers as well, as they can lag behind the speakers, making it difficult to match what is being read with what is being said, undercutting the other aim of helping viewers abroad learn Greek.
The programming of ERT Cosmos will include news and current affairs programs, news bulletins, cultural and entertainment content, as well as productions from ERT TV.
It’s a smorgasbord of programming – but still Greece intensive – although ERT said the move means its international TV channel will also be available via terrestrial broadcasting in Greece and reach global audiences through satellite transmission and the ERTFLIX digital platform.
Leslie Dupont, 60, a Mexican who has been living in Greece for 35 years and is a travel advisor and consultant for tourists, said she and her husband “try to watch the BBC and CNN which have more information than Greek channels which focus more on Greek problems,” and which she said can be slanted.
Greek TV can be frustrating for those who speak only English and the news stations expectedly concentrate on domestic and European news although there is international coverage, and ERT has a correspondent in the United States.
Journalists with international coverage are often used on ERT too, including those who worked for private stations, although the reports are in Greek and without English subtitles, which is now left to ERT Cosmos.
SKAI TV airs English-language news with an international segment on its website and some partner platforms, but bulletins are infrequent: typically short, weekly or occasional summary pieces rather than daily full newscasts.
Many private stations have some international coverage but through satellite and OTT (Over-the-Top) digital content delivered via the Internet instead of on TV stations. ERT Cosmos requires those who understand only English to sit and try to follow subtitles that don’t always keep up with what’s being said.
ERT Cosmos will also present fiction programming and, unlike some stations that rely on shows going back to the 1960s and the black-and-white era, will try to attract the Diaspora and international audiences with newer productions.
There are also documentaries that highlight modern Greek life as part of what the station said it “aims to strengthen ERT’s international presence, reinforce bonds with Greeks abroad, and make contemporary Greek culture and information more accessible worldwide.”
But Dupont, who can also follow the news in Greek, said: “If you go with CNN (not available or the BBC you can follow what’s happening (internationally.)”
