 | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | National |
| Network | Mega Channel |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Greek |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Odyssey Television Network |
| Sister channels | ERT World Odyssey |
| History | |
| Launched | 28 June 2012 |
| Links | |
| Website | odysseytv |
MEGA Cosmos is a Canadian exempt Category B Greek language specialty channel owned by Odyssey Television Network. It features Greek content with different commercials and scheduling compared to the original channel MEGA Channel, which is the largest private TV channel in Greece.
MEGA Cosmos broadcasts programming primarily from the library of the homonymous pan-hellenic channel. Programming includes news, television dramas, game shows and more.
History
On 12 August 2011, Greek National Television Network (Canada) Inc., a subsidiary of Odyssey Television Network, was granted approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a television channel called OTN 3, described as "a national, general interest, third-language, ethnic speciality Category B service devoted to the Greek-speaking community in Canada."[1]
Previous to OTN 3 launching, the MEGA Cosmos brand existed in Canada from 2007 to June 2012 through Ethnic Channels Group, who owned the channel and licensed its name and programming from MEGA Cosmos' parent owners in Greece. In June 2012, the channel was shut down.
In June 2012, Odyssey Television Network acquired the channel rights and subsequently launched its own version on 28 June 2012 using the OTN 3 licence. Odyssey Television Network owned much of the rights to MEGA Cosmos in Canada from 2001 to 2003, when it aired on the then-named Odyssey II channel. Programming was lost in 2003, subsequently, the channel was then renamed ERT Sat (now known as ERT World) as Odyssey reached an agreement with the parent Greek public broadcaster.
On September 14, 2018, the CRTC approved Odyssey Television Network's request to convert MEGA Cosmos (OTN3) from a licensed Category B speciality service to an exempted third language service.[2]
In October 2022, MEGA Cosmos re-launched in Canada, available via Bell Satellite TV, Bell Fibe TV and Rogers Cable.[3][4]
Notable shows
A list of notable shows that air on MEGA Cosmos, as of October 2022:
- MEGA Gegonota(Facts) – nightly newscast
- Koinonia Ora Mega – morning show, airs Monday – Friday
- Mega Kalimera – infotainment show, airs Monday – Friday
- I Gi Tis Elias – drama, airs Monday - Friday
- Mayro Rodo – drama, airs Saturday & Sunday
- Eleni – lifestyle / talk show, airs weekday afternoons
- Live News – famous afternoon news magazine with Nikos Evaggelatos
- The Chase– afternoon game show with Maria Mpekatorou
References
- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-487 CRTC 2011-08-11
- ^ ERT World – Revocation of licence
- ^ "Στον Καναδά το Mega". Το Παρόν. 2022-10-03. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
- ^ "Ξανά διαθέσιμο στον Καναδά το Mega Cosmos". e-tetRadio.gr. 2022-10-03.
External links
- MEGA Cosmos Canada
- MEGA Cosmos (in Greek)