Greek public TV signal back on air

Greece has switched it public TV signal back on, as the government looks to transition to a new service following its shut down state broadcaster ERT last month.

According to AFP, a screen reading ‘Greek public television’ (EDT) began to be broadcast yesterday on the main digital TV frequency formerly occupied by ERT.

“This is a transitional phase. Very soon the new public television programme will be on air,” Greece’s deputy minister responsible for public TV, Pantelis Kapsis, is quoted to have said.

The government reportedly aims to launch a temporary service until it hires staff for a new broadcaster by autumn.

ERT was controversially shut down last month in a bid to save money, causing the loss of 2,700 jobs. The new smaller-scale public broadcaster will have fewer than half the staff a Greek government spokesman said last month.