Television in Finland

Television was introduced in Finland in 1955. Color television started in 1969. Prior to 1986, Yle monopolized Finnish television. All terrestrial analogue stations stopped broadcasting on 1 September 2007 after the introduction of digital television; cable providers were allowed to continue analog broadcasting in their networks until 1 March 2008.

Typically, foreign-language content is subtitled, retaining the original language soundtrack. This includes interview responses in news or magazine programmes not given in the main language of that programme. Foreign programming intended for children is, however, usually dubbed into one of the national languages. Regardless of the intended audience or original language, many shows receive a Finnish and/or Swedish title which is used in programme schedules.

In 2016 it was said that 47% of people watch via terrestrial antenna, 43% via cable, 11% via IPTV and 4% via satellite.[1]

Digital terrestrial

Main article: Digital terrestrial television in Finland

Digital terrestrial television was launched on 21 August 2001. The analogue networks continued its broadcasts alongside the digital ones until 1 September 2007, when they were shut down nationwide.

Before the analogue switchoff, the terrestrial network had three multiplexes: MUX A, MUX B and MUX C. MUX A contained the channels of the public broadcaster Yleisradio and MUX B was shared between the two commercial broadcasters: MTV3 and Nelonen. MUX C contained channels of various other broadcasters. After the analogue closedown, a fourth multiplex named MUX E was launched.

In addition the free-to-air broadcasts, two companies are providing encryption cards for pay television: Canal Digital and PlusTV. Canal Digital was the first to launch, originally only offering four Canal+ channels (the Disney Channel was added later on). PlusTV was launched in November 2006, originally only broadcasting MTV3 Max and Subtv Juniori (later on adding Subtv Leffa and Urheilu+kanava). Both packages got more channels with the launch of MUX E in September 2007: SVT Europa and MTV3 Fakta was added to PlusTV and KinoTV was added to Canal Digital, while Discovery Channel, Eurosport, MTV Finland and Nickelodeon were added to both packages.

September 2007 also saw the launch of the SveaTV package in Ostrobothnia which broadcasts channels from Sweden.

The digital channel YLE Extra was closed on 31 December 2007 and was replaced by YLE TV1+, a simulcast of TV1 with subtitles included in the video stream. TV1+ was closed on 4 August 2008 due to its low viewing share.[2]

Finland has started DVB-T2 switchover that will be finished on 31.3.2020.

Cable

Analogue cable television were switched off in Finland on 1 March 2008, but digital cable television is widespread all over the country and its infrastructure used for cable internet services.

The major cable operators are DNA, Welho and TTV, operating in Turku, Helsinki and Tampere areas. All pay television uses digital broadcasts, DVB-C set-top boxes have been available since 2001.

Satellite

Digital satellite television started in Nordic countries, and also in Finland, by Multichoice Nordic pay-TV platform during 1996. The first set-top boxes available were manufactured by Nokia and Pace. After that the service merged with Canal Digital in late 1997. Competing pay television Viasat and Yle's channel TV Finland started digital broadcasts in 1999.

Canal Digital launched some HDTV channels, like Discovery HD, on their digital paytv-package during 2006. Pan-European HDTV-channel Euro1080 HD1 is available also in Finland.

List of channels

All Yle channels are broadcast free-to-air and so are a few commercial ones including MTV3, Nelonen, Sub, Jim, TV5, FOX and Kutonen. Yle channels are state owned and are funded by a ring fenced so-called "Yle tax".

Most of the channels are the same throughout mainland Finland. In Ostrobothnia and the Åland islands there is an extra multiplex available which provides encrypted channels from Sweden, along with respective local stations,[3] and of course due to overlapping signals, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian and Estonian stations are able to be seen near the border areas and vice versa.

DVB-T Channels

No.	Channel Name	Free-to-air	Description
1.	Yle TV1	Yes	documentaries, news, politics, satire, series, films
2.	Yle TV2	Yes	sports, entertainment, series, films, children's programming
3.	MTV3	Yes	films, series, sports, news
4.	Nelonen	Yes	films, series, sports, news
5.	Yle Teema & Fem	Yes	culture, sciences and learning. Also programming by the Swedish department of Yle
6.	Sub	Yes	imported series, films, reality, sports
7.	TV5	Yes	entertainment, films, series, documentaries
8.	Liv	Yes	women's programmes, lifestyle programmes, films, series, documentaries
9.	Jim	Yes	men's programmes, reality, documentaries, sports
10.	Kutonen	Yes	men's programmes, music, films, series, documentaries
11.	TLC	Yes	women's programmes, lifestyle
12.	FOX	Yes	series, films, documentaries
13.	AVA	Yes	women's programmes, lifestyle programmes, films, series, documentaries
14.	Hero	Yes	imported series and films
15.	AlfaTV	Yes	programmes for minorities, religious programmes
16.	Frii	Yes	women's programmes, lifestyle programmes, films, documentaries
17.	Harju & Pöntinen	Yes	Schlager music
18.	Livechat.fi	Yes	adult entertainment
19.	INEZ	Yes	programmes for young adults, content created by social media influencers
20.	National Geographic	Yes	nature, history, documentaries
26.	MT	Yes	harness racing
28.	1HD Music Television	Yes	music videos
38.	Estradi	Yes	short-term broadcasts

DVB-T2 channels

No.	Channel Name	Free-to-air	Description	HD	Frequency
21.	Yle TV1 HD	Yes	High-definition simulcast of Yle TV1	Yes	VHF
22.	Yle TV2 HD	Yes	High-definition simulcast of Yle TV2	Yes	VHF
23.	MTV3 HD	No	High-definition simulcast of MTV3	Yes	VHF
24.	Nelonen HD	Yes	High-definition simulcast of Nelonen	Yes	UHF
25.	Yle Teema & Fem HD	Yes	High-definition simulcast of Yle Teema & Fem	Yes	VHF
27.	TV5 HD	Yes	High-definition simulcast of TV5	Yes	VHF
39.	Estradi 2020	Yes	High-definition simulcast of Estradi	Yes	UHF
40.	C More Max	No	sports, outdoors, documentaries, programming for men	No	UHF
41.	Eurosport 1 HD	No	High-definition simulcast of Eurosport	Yes	VHF
42.	Eurosport 2 HD	No	High-definition simulcast of Eurosport 2	Yes	VHF
43.	C More Juniori	No	children's programming	No	UHF
44.	Discovery Channel	No	documentaries, science	No	UHF
45.	Eurosport 1	No	sports	No	UHF
46.	Paramount Network	No	entertainment, films	No	UHF
52.	Disney Channel	No	children's programming	No	UHF
53.	C More First	No	films	No	UHF
54.	C More Series	No	series, films	No	UHF
55.	C More Sport 1	No	sports	No	UHF
58.	Nick Jr.	No	children's programming	No	UHF
62.	Viasat Jalkapallo	No	association football	No	UHF
62.	Viasat Jääkiekko	No	ice hockey	No	UHF
64.	Viasat Sport	No	sports	No	UHF
65.	Viasat Hockey	No	ice hockey	No	UHF
66.	Viasat Urheilu	No	sports	No	UHF
67.	Viasat Golf	No	golf	No	UHF
68.	Blue Hustler	No	adult entertainment	No	UHF
69.	Hustler	No	adult entertainment	No	UHF
80.	Investigation Discovery	No	documentaries, science	No	UHF
83.	Eurosport 2	No	sports	No	UHF
84.	Nat Geo Wild	No	nature, history, documentaries	No	UHF
85.	Animal Planet	No	nature, documentaries	No	UHF
89.	Disney Junior	No	children's programming	No	UHF
90.	Disney XD	No	children's programming	No	UHF
92.	C More Max HD	No	High-definition simulcast of MTV Max	Yes	VHF
94.	C More Hits	No	films	No	UHF
95.	C More First HD	No	High-definition simulcast of C More First	Yes	VHF
96.	C More Sport 1 HD	No	High-definition simulcast of MTV Sport 1	Yes	VHF
97.	C More Sport 2	No	sports	No	UHF
98.	C More Sport 2 HD	No	High-definition simulcast of MTV Sport 2	Yes	VHF
111.	Viasat NHL Xtra 1	No	Broadcasts from the NHL	No	UHF
112.	Viasat NHL Xtra 2	No	Broadcasts from the NHL	No	UHF
113.	Viasat NHL Xtra 3	No	Broadcasts from the NHL	No	UHF
114.	Viasat NHL Xtra 4	No	Broadcasts from the NHL	No	UHF
115.	Viasat NHL Xtra 5	No	Broadcasts from the NHL	No	UHF
116.	Viasat NHL Xtra 6	No	Broadcasts from the NHL	No	UHF
117.	Viasat NHL Xtra 7	No	Broadcasts from the NHL	No	UHF
118.	Viasat NHL Xtra 8	No	Broadcasts from the NHL	No	UHF
119.	Viasat Hockey HD	No	High-definition simulcast of Viasat Hockey	Yes	VHF
120.	Viasat Jääkiekko HD	No	High-definition simulcast of Viasat Jääkiekko	Yes	VHF
121.	Viasat Urheilu HD	No	High-definition simulcast of Viasat Urheilu	Yes	VHF
122.	Viasat Jalkapallo HD	No	High-definition simulcast of Viasat Jalkapallo	Yes	VHF
123.	Viasat Golf HD	No	High-definition simulcast of Viasat Golf	Yes	VHF
124.	Viasat Film Action HD	No	High-definition simulcast of Viasat Film Action	Yes	VHF
125.	Viasat Film Premiere	No	films	No	UHF
126.	Viasat History	No	history	No	UHF
127.	Viasat Film Premiere HD	No	High-definition simulcast of Viasat Film Premiere	Yes	VHF

Viewing shares

Channels	1988 [4]	1990 [4]	1994 [5]	1996 [6][7]	1998 [7][8]	2000 [7][9]	2002 [7][10]	2004 [7][11]	2005 [7][11]	2006 [12]	2007 [13]	2008 [14]	2009 [15]	2010 [16]	2011 [17]	2012 [18]	2013 [19]	2014 [20]	2015 [21]	2016 [22]	2017 [23]
Yle TV1	34	33	25	26.7	25	22.6	23.6	24.6	24.5	23.8	23.8	24.1	21.9	22.2	23.3	24.8	26.0	25.8	27.9	28.1	28.9
Yle TV2	23	21	19	21.5	21	19.7	21.8	20.3	19.1	20.0	17.4	16.8	17.7	18.9	16.9	13.2	11.9	13.8	11.0	12.4	11.3
MTV3			46	44.6	42.2	40.4	37.0	34.7	32.6	29.0	25.7	22.9	22.8	21.6	21.8	20.0	19.0	17.3	17.8	16.3	16.6
Nelonen[nb 1]				2.7	7	11.5	11.6	12.4	11.5	11.9	10.2	10.0	9.9	9.3	9.2	9.0	8.8	8.2	8.0	9.6	9.6
Yle Fem[nb 2]			2	2						0.2	0.7	1.6	1.8	1.6	1.6	1.7	1.5	1.9	1.6	1.7	1.1
Yle Teema										0.6	1.3	2.2	2.6	2.5	2.6	2.6	2.6	2.4	2.5	2.6	2.0
Sub[nb 3]						0.5	1.2	2.5	4.2	4.6	6.0	6.0	6.7	6.5	6.1	5.7	5.1	5.0	4.2	3.4	3.0
TV5[nb 4]															2.6	3.3	3.6	3.4	3.5	3.1	2.4
Liv											0.7	1.9	2.3	2.3	2.7	2.8	2.5	2.7	2.4	2.5	2.8
Jim[nb 5]										0.1	1.2	2.6	2.6	2.9	3.1	3.3	3.2	3.4	3.2	2.9	2.6
Kutonen[nb 4]										0.4	0.7	0.8	1.5	2.0	0.4	0.8	1.2	1.2	1.8	1.7	1.7
TLC																				0.1	0.7
FOX[nb 6]														0.7	0.5	2.2	3.3	3.8	3.7	3.0	2.7
AVA[nb 7]												0.1	0.1			1.5	1.9	1.9	2.3	2.1	1.8
Hero																		0.1	0.8	1.0	1.3
Frii																			0.9	1.4	1.5
National Geographic																			0.3	0.3	2.1
C More Total Pay TV										0.2	1.3	2.4	2.5	2.2	2.0	3.5	3.7	3.6	2.9	2.4	1.9
Discovery Channel											0.5	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.7	0.6	0.4	0.3	0.4	0.3
Music TV							1	1	1	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.4
Nelonen Pay TV											0.1	0.2	0.3	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.5
Nelonen Sport[nb 8]										0.7	1.2	1.3	1.3	0.6
Yle Extra[nb 9]										0.7	0.8

Notes

1. January 1990 - May 1997 PTV4
2. 1988 - August 2006 YLE FST. FST's output was included in the programming of YLE's two main television channels, YLE TV1 and YLE TV2. August 2001 - March 2012 YLE FST5
3. February 2000 - August 2001 TVTV!. August 2001 - January 2008 Subtv
4. The Voice and TV5 operated in same channel from September 2008 to April 2011. March 2004 - August 2012 The Voice
5. February 2002 - February 2007 Nelonen Plus
6. December 2009 - April 2012 SuomiTV.
7. March 2008 - January 2011 MTV3 AVA.
8. August 2001 - February 2010 Urheilukanava.
9. August 2001 - April 2007 YLE24.

See also

• Media of Finland

References

1. https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-9524771
2. "Ylen TV1+ - palvelu päättyy elokuussa" [Yle's TV1+ - service ends in August] (in Finnish). Digita Oy. 2008-07-11. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
3. "SveaTV-kanalplatser". VLT. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
4. "Television:Television: channel shares 1999 - 2009 (Excel)". Tilastokeskus. 15 December 2010. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011. columns: B, C, D, E
5. "Television: Television: channel shares 1994 - 2004 (Excel)". Tilastokeskus. 12 October 2005. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
6. "Alma Media, Aamulehti Group, MTV Group - Annual Report 1997" (PDF). Alma Media, Aamulehti Group, MTV Group. 1998. p. 21. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
7. "Television: Television: channel shares 1995 - 2005 (Excel)". Tilastokeskus. 9 November 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
8. "Alma Media - Annual Report 1998" (PDF). Alma Media. 1999. pp. 20–21. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
9. "Alma Media - Annual Report 2000" (PDF). Alma Media. 2001. p. 29. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
10. "YLE-kertomukset 2002" (in Finnish). Yleisradio. 2003. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
11. "Finnpanel - TV:n katseluosuudet minuuteista" (in Finnish). Archive.org: Finnpanel. 20 January 2006. Archived from the original on 28 May 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
12. • "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". Finnpanel. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
    • "Television: Television: channel shares 1996 - 2006 (Excel)". Tilastokeskus. 21 November 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
13. • "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". Finnpanel. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
    • "Television in Finland 2007" (PDF). Finnpanel. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
14. • "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". Finnpanel. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
    • Sandell, Lena; Lamberg, Anna-Leena (2009-01-27). "Television viewing in Finland 2008" (PDF). Finnpanel. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
15. • "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". Finnpanel. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
    • Sandell, Lena; Lamberg, Anna-Leena (2010-02-03). "Television viewing in Finland 2009" (PDF). Finnpanel. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
16. • "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". Finnpanel. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
    • Sandell, Lena (2011-02-01). "Television viewing in Finland 2010" (PDF). Finnpanel. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
17. • "Channel Share and Weekly Reach". Finnpanel. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
    • "Television katselu Suomessa 2011" (PDF). Finnpanel. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
18. "Results From The TV Audience Measurement". Finnpanel. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
19. "Results From The TV Audience Measurement". Finnpanel. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
20. • "Results From The TV Audience Measurement". Finnpanel. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
    • "Television katselu Suomessa 2014" (PDF). Finnpanel. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
21. • "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". www.finnpanel.fi. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
    • Sandell, Lena. "TV-katselu Suomessa 2015" (PDF). Finnpanel. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
22. "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". www.finnpanel.fi. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
23. "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". www.finnpanel.fi. Retrieved 10 February 2018.

External links

• Viestinävirasto - Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority
• Digita - Terrestrial Broadcast Operator
• DNA - Terrestrial Broadcast Operator
• Finnpanel - Measures TV viewing and radio listening