News from ERT network: new radio channels , software and more (updates on mid February )

   PLEASE  SCROLL YOUR MOUSE TOLL UP OR DOWN WHILE PRESSING CONTROL BUTTON IN YOUR KEYBOARD 

Read also   here  my next article (Word radio day )

1.New channels :

ERT has recently introduced several new updates, beginning with the launch of new radio stations. 

• Radio Eurovision: A temporary radio station created for this period, as our country will be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in mid-May. During this time, Greece is preparing to select the appropriate song for its entry through a three-day open competition. A total of 260 songs were submitted, from which 28 have been selected to compete for the final nomination.
• Vintage Radio: Featuring music from the 1950s to the 1970s.
• 80s Radio: Playing top hits from the 1980s.
• 90s Radio: Dedicated to the greatest hits of the 1990s.
• Now Hits Radio: Broadcasting today’s most popular songs.

All of the above stations are categorized by decade or musical era.

In addition, a temporary television program titled “Sing for Greece” has been introduced. The show is part of the national selection process to choose the song that will represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest. 

For more https://www.ertflix.gr/

2. Update of the app   and webpage

This is another important but highly controversial issue at the moment. Both the web platform and the mobile application have recently been updated; however, the results appear to be downgraded, as many viewers have experienced significant difficulties while trying to watch content or use the app. 

The main update includes the addition of closed captions (CC) to live programs, as well as to certain movies and Greek series, in order to improve accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. A second feature is the inclusion of sign language interpretation and expanded program information, which can also be displayed when the user moves the mouse over the screen. 

However, many users have reported problems while watching either the live stream or using the application. Some of the most common issues include:

1.      Frequent buffering or freezing (underruns) during live broadcasts or while watching specific channels.

2.      The order of archived episodes on a series’ webpage has been reversed (last episode first), unlike the previous layout. As a result, users need more time to locate the specific episode they want to watch.

3.      In many cases, the program not only freezes but completely stops functioning. This occurred to me on two occasions:

o   when attempting to watch via live stream

 o   when playing shorter video clips

Just note that this issue is not affecting only me, but many other users as well. The “ERTflix Fans” page is full of complaints from viewers. Although one might assume that this page communicates directly with ERT, this is not actually the case.

 

333 No transmissions  from ERA Athens on 729.

ERA on 729 kHz has once again gone silent, and for a considerable period of time there has been no transmission on this frequency. I have tested reception several times — including on January 30th, February 5th, and again today — without any success in receiving a signal.

The announcement states:

Within February, we expect to complete the SFN DAB+ network in Attica, with Hymettus and Parnitha operating in phase agreement, upgraded to 0.8 kW and 1.2 kW respectively. By the end of the summer, the goal is to have several additional DAB+ broadcasting centers in the region fully operational.

This, of course, does not compensate for the prevailing indifference toward AM broadcasting — a phenomenon that is unfortunately widespread across Europe.