Sveriges Television
In 1954, test transmissions began from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. This marked the start of a journey that would eventually create Sveriges Television AB. The Swedish public broadcasting system was modeled after the United Kingdom's model. A television licence fee was introduced in October 1956 for all owners of television sets. This fee funded the broadcaster until 2019 when the Riksdag voted to replace it with a public service tax on personal income. Prior to this change, SVT operated as a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation. It is owned by an independent foundation called Förvaltningsstiftelsen för Sveriges Radio AB, Sveriges Television AB och Sveriges Utbildningsradio AB. The foundation's board consists of 13 politicians representing parties in the Riksdag. These politicians are appointed by the Swedish government. They then appoint the SVT board members. SVT shares many traits with its British counterpart, the BBC. The regulatory framework governing SVT is set by Swedish law. In 1979, SVT became a subsidiary of Sveriges Radio AB before becoming a separate entity. Since then, it has shared some joint services with Sveriges Radio and Sveriges Utbildningsradio.
Regularly scheduled television programming began in 1957. On the 4th of September 1956, Radiotjänst initiated official transmissions from the new Nacka transmitter. A second TV channel launched on the 5th of December 1969. This channel was named TV2 while the original became TV1. The first stage of the main headquarters building was inaugurated on Oxenstiernsgatan in Stockholm on the 30th of October 1967. The completion of the second stage occurred on the 5th of December 1969. Regular colour broadcasts were introduced in 1970. Teletext started in 1978. Broadcasting in Nicam Stereo became permanent in 1988. In 1992, the Riksdag allowed TV4 to start terrestrial broadcasting. This ended SVT's monopoly on domestic terrestrial broadcasting which had lasted since 1956. The two channels were reorganised in 1987 when TV1 was renamed Kanal 1. In 1996, Kanal 1 and TV2 were renamed SVT1 and SVT2. Digital terrestrial television broadcasts took place in 1999. SVT started six new channels including SVT24 and five regional channels. The switch-off of analogue transmitters began in 2005 in Gotland. By 2007 all analogue transmissions from SVT had ceased. High-definition broadcasting started on the SVT HD channel on the 22nd of October 2006.
The first newscast, Aktuellt, was broadcast in 1958. In 1970, the first regional programme Sydnytt started from Malmö. More regional news programmes launched in 1972. The entire country was covered by regional news programmes by 1987 when ABC from Stockholm began. In 1972, the news was reorganised once again. Rapport moved to the 19.30 slot on TV2 while Aktuellt was revived to broadcast at 18.00 and 21.00 on TV1. These timeslots stayed mostly unchanged for decades. There are also regional news bulletins on SVT1 at 18.33 on Mondays to Fridays. On Sundays they air at 18.10. A follow-up bulletin runs at 19.55 daily except Saturdays. SVT2 broadcasts regional news following Aktuellt at 21.46 on Mondays to Thursdays. In November 2023, SVT joined with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. They produced the Cyprus Confidential report showing strong links between Cyprus and high-up figures in the Kremlin. Government officials including Cyprus president Nikos Christodoulides responded within less than 24 hours. SVT provides news programmes in various minority languages including Uutiset in Finnish and Nyhetstecken in Swedish Sign Language.
Melodifestivalen has run from 1959 to the present day as the Swedish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The final generally attracts around four million viewers. Expedition Robinson began in 1997 and concluded after its seventh season in 2003-2004. Sveriges Television was the first network to broadcast this reality television series. På spåret started in 1987 and remains a popular entertainment show today. Allsång på Skansen has been broadcast live from Skansen in Stockholm since 1979. The first sing-along at Skansen was held in 1935. Radio transmissions of the event started shortly after. Antikrundan began in 1989 and often attracts approximately two million viewers. SVT hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1975, 1985, 1992, 2000, 2013, 2016 and 2024. Entertainment shows on Fridays and Saturdays together with popular sports attract the largest audiences. Rederiet ran from 1992 to 2002 and was one of the most popular soap operas in Sweden. Barnkanalen began showing children's programmes during the day in December 2002.
The executive management of SVT is handled by a CEO appointed by the board. Hanna Stjärne took over the role from Eva Hamilton in 2015. The chairman of the Board is Lars Engqvist who served as deputy Prime Minister of the previous Social Democratic government. SVT is divided into eight operative programme-producing units. Four are located in Stockholm while four others are around the country. These regional studios are based on ten regional transmission areas merged in 2000. Malmö hosts SVT Syd which includes SVT Malmö and SVT Växjö. Gothenburg houses SVT Väst containing SVT Göteborg. Norrköping manages SVT Mellansverige covering Falun, Dövas TV Leksand, Karlstad, Örebro and Norrköping. Umeå runs SVT Nord formerly known as SVT Luleå, SVT Umeå and SVT Sundsvall. Before Sveriges Television was formed in 1978, television broadcasting was controlled by channel controllers. Nils Erik Baehrentz was the controller between 1958 and 1968. He was succeeded by Håkan Unsgaard who became TV1's controller in 1968. Örjan Wallquist became the TV2 controller in 1969. Magnus Faxén served as CEO from 1978 to 1981. Sam Nilsson held the position from 1981 to 1999.
A media study released in 2020 showed that trust in SVT programming polarised the audience. Eighty to ninety percent of viewers supporting liberal or left-leaning parties had high trust in SVT. These parties include the Green Party, Swedish Social Democratic Party, Liberals, Left Party and Centre Party. Fewer viewers supporting conservative-leaning parties had high trust. Christian Democrats showed 60% trust while Moderate Party supporters reached 54%. Sweden Democrats had only 30% high trust. This meant SVT was an issue that polarised the audience more than US president Donald Trump. A survey in 1999 claimed that 33 percent of journalists working for SVT supported the Left Party. This proportion was about the same among journalists employed in commercial broadcasting and print media. It was significantly higher than among the general public where only 15 percent supported the Left Party. Support for the Left Party, the Green Party and the Liberal Party was stronger among journalists on SVT and SR than among the general public. The University of Gothenburg made another study during the Swedish 2006 general election comparing Rapport to five largest newspapers. The study concluded that Rapport's coverage of the election was the most balanced of them all.
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Common questions
When did Sveriges Television begin test transmissions?
Sveriges Television began test transmissions in 1954 from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Regularly scheduled television programming started later in 1957.
Who owns and controls Sveriges Television AB?
Sveriges Television AB is owned by an independent foundation called Förvaltningsstiftelsen för Sveriges Radio AB, Sveriges Television AB och Sveriges Utbildningsradio AB. The foundation's board consists of 13 politicians representing parties in the Riksdag who are appointed by the Swedish government.
What dates mark key changes to Sveriges Television channels and broadcasting technology?
A second TV channel named TV2 launched on the 5th of December 1969 while regular colour broadcasts were introduced in 1970. Digital terrestrial television broadcasts took place in 1999 and all analogue transmissions ceased by 2007 after beginning in Gotland in 2005.
Which news programmes does Sveriges Television broadcast and when do they air?
The first newscast Aktuellt was broadcast in 1958 and regional programme Sydnytt started from Malmö in 1970. SVT1 airs regional news bulletins at 18.33 on Mondays to Fridays and at 18.10 on Sundays with a follow-up bulletin running daily except Saturdays at 19.55.
How has trust in Sveriges Television varied among different political groups in Sweden?
A media study released in 2020 showed that eighty to ninety percent of viewers supporting liberal or left-leaning parties had high trust in Sveriges Television programming. Support for the Left Party, the Green Party and the Liberal Party was stronger among journalists on Sveriges Television than among the general public where only 15 percent supported the Left Party.