Antenna Group
TypePrivately held company
IndustryMedia
Founded2 August 1989
HeadquartersMarousi, Athens,
Greece
Key people
Theodore Kyriakou (Chairperson)
ProductsBroadcasting, Publishing, Telecommunications
RevenueIncrease €563 million (2014)
Increase €201 million (2014)
OwnerKyriakou Family
WebsiteAntenna Group

Antenna Group or ANT1 Group, is a media company in Greece and currently the largest Greek media company. It was established on 2 August 1989 by Minos Kyriakou. Today, his son, Theodore Kyriakou, heads up a media empire whose operations include broadcasting, radio, publishing, digital, educational services, telecommunications and a record label. At the cornerstone of the company is ANT1 TV, one of the largest and most successful private television networks in Greece.

ANT1 Group has also expanded its operations abroad, launching international feeds of ANT1 TV for Greek audiences abroad. It now operates stations serving North America, Europe, Australia/Asia and a regional feed of ANT1 Cyprus.

History

On 2 August 1989, Antenna TV S.A. was established, which was the main unit of the group, after starting in 1988 with Antenna 97.1 (now Easy 97.2).

At the end of that year, the group, through the aforementioned company, founded and launched the TV station of the same name, ANT1, one of Greece's first private networks and one of the highest rated for many years.

ANT1 Group expanded yet again, this time internationally launching ANT1 Satellite in 1993 and ANT1 Pacific in 1997. ANT1 Satellite was the first Greek network to broadcast to audiences in North America while ANT1 Pacific brought the 'best of' ANT1 TV to Australia and the pacific rim.

In subsequent years, ANT1 Group has expanded its business beyond the broadcasting world, including launching Audiotex (initially as a telecommunications company and later as a multimedia software development services company), Daphne Communications S.A. (publishing company), Heaven Music (recording label) and ANTEL (wireless transmission).

In March 2011, Dish Network renews multi-year contract with Antenna Group for Greek programming,[1] includes future launch of Antenna Prime, featuring live soccer and classic Greek shows. The agreement ensures continued carriage of Greek-language channels in US.

On October 1, 2021, ANT1 Group acquired Sony Pictures Television's Central and Eastern European portfolio (22 channels and two on-demand services).[2]

In early 2022, MBC Group Middle East invested €225 million in Antenna Greece through capital increase.[3]

Operations

Broadcasting

Greece

Cyprus

Romania

Hungary

Poland

Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria

Balkans

International

Defunct channels

  • ANT1 Prime (classic ANT1 programming service in North America)
  • B92 Info (24-hour news channel in Serbia and Montenegro)
  • Blue (music channel in North America and Australia)

Divested channels

Radio

Greece

  • Easy 97.2 FM
  • Rythmos 94.9 FM

Cyprus

  • ANT1 FM 102.7 & 103.7

Romania

  • Asha
  • Kiss FM
  • Magic FM
  • One Dance
  • Rock FM

Divested stations

Telecommunications

  • ANTEL (wireless transmission)
  • Audiotex (multimedia software development services)

Publishing

  • Daphne Communications S.A.

Music

Education

  • Antenna Media Lab
  • Antenna Screenwriting Academy

Antenna Digital Ventures

Antenna Digital Ventures is the investing arm of Antenna Group focusing on setting up digital start ups in the regions the group operates. Antenna Digital Ventures has launched three start-up companies, Pricefox with Samlino Group, Stargram and Jukebooks.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "DISH Network Renews Multi-Year Deal With Antenna Group". Archived from the original on 2011-05-08. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  2. ↑ Antenna Group Acquires Sony Pictures Television Network Portfolio in Central and Eastern Europe securing 22 Pay TV channels and two OTT services in 12 territories
  3. ↑ Ο Όμιλος MBC αποκτά το 30% του ΑΝΤΕΝΝΑ – Επενδύσεις ύψους €225 εκατ. στην Ελλάδα
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