ORF1
Encyclopedia
ORF eins is an Austrian television channel. It was the first television channel in Austria
, started in 1955.
ORF eins is one of four public TV channels in Austria. ORF eins broadcasts TV series and featured films, whereas ORF2
focuses on cultural programming and information. ORF Sport Plus
is the new sports channel, but, ORF eins continues broadcasting of important sports events. Since it has to compete with a wider range of German private TV channels via cable or satellite, ORF programming focuses on a mainstream audience.
ORF eins mostly shows films and episodes. In the morning a children's program called okidoki is broadcast. Popular sports like skiing
, Formula One
and association football are also shown on ORF eins. ORF broadcasts its news program Zeit im Bild (The Times in Pictures) and the Magazine on ORF2. Until April 9, 2007, Zeit im Bild was shown on ORF eins and ORF2 simultaneously at 7:30 p.m.. ORF1 then began to show a daily soap opera during the eight o'clock hour, but on July 1, 2007, it was replaced by Malcolm in the Middle
(which has been replaced by Two And A Half Men
) due to low ratings. Aside from this, there are news programs several minutes long at various times during the day, with the name ZiB Flash. After 8 p.m., the news program, called ZiB 20, is now broadcast; which replaced the old Newsflash.
In comparison with the German channel ARD
, ORF competes, on the one hand, with the second channel of its own broadcast service. ORF is closed to parts of the large German market because its programs are encrypted over satellite. In certain regions of Germany, e.g. Bavaria
ORF can be received terrestrial without encryption. On the other hand, the big German private channels compete with ORF within Austria, because of their broadcast over cable television and unencrypted satellite. Therefore, the ORF is positioned only in Austria as a mainstream media, and seldom experiments with new programming.
services. The first broadcast was a ski race called The Nightrace in Schladming
. A special HDTV event, introducing HD technology, was scheduled in all regional ORF stations right after. The technological partner for HD productions is Telekom Austria
.
In anticipation of the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, the ORF launched its new channel ORF1 HD. Since few ORF-made shows and movies are available in high-definition, many standard-definition programs are upscaled to achieve 720p quality.
card. Those who could receive ORF1 HD, saw a trailer, showing sport, film and documentation highlights. The programme is also available through Cable and IPTV.
The official start of ORF1 HD was June 2 2008, just a few days before the start of Euro 2008. Since then, the output of ORF1 is broadcast in high definition.
, House M.D., Grey's Anatomy
and Desperate Housewives
. Note that Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy are broadcast in both English and German.
Also, most Sunday evening movies are broadcast in HD.
In 2005, there was another update to ORF's on-screen design. To avoid a burning in of the logo onto plasma screens, it is no longer green but gray all-over.
In 2010, it was announced that ORF1 would be rebranded as "ORF eins" from January 8, 2011.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, started in 1955.
ORF eins is one of four public TV channels in Austria. ORF eins broadcasts TV series and featured films, whereas ORF2
ORF2
ORF2 is an Austrian television channel owned by ORF.ORF2 was launched on 11 September 1961 as a technical test programme. Since 1970, ORF2 broadcasts on seven days a week. Today it is one of the three public TV channels in Austria.Where as ORF1 focuses on tv series and movies, ORF2 broadcasts...
focuses on cultural programming and information. ORF Sport Plus
ORF Sport Plus
ORF Sport + in an Austrian sports channel owned by the public service broadcaster, ORF.The channel is available via Astra 1A, cable and DVB-T, in Austria and parts of Europe.-History:...
is the new sports channel, but, ORF eins continues broadcasting of important sports events. Since it has to compete with a wider range of German private TV channels via cable or satellite, ORF programming focuses on a mainstream audience.
Programming
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
, Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
and association football are also shown on ORF eins. ORF broadcasts its news program Zeit im Bild (The Times in Pictures) and the Magazine on ORF2. Until April 9, 2007, Zeit im Bild was shown on ORF eins and ORF2 simultaneously at 7:30 p.m.. ORF1 then began to show a daily soap opera during the eight o'clock hour, but on July 1, 2007, it was replaced by Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle is an American television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Network. The series was first broadcast on January 9, 2000, and ended its six-and-a-half-year run on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons and 151 episodes...
(which has been replaced by Two And A Half Men
Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men is an American television sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 22, 2003. Starring Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones, the show was originally about a hedonistic jingle writer, Charlie Harper; his uptight brother, Alan; and Alan's growing son, Jake...
) due to low ratings. Aside from this, there are news programs several minutes long at various times during the day, with the name ZiB Flash. After 8 p.m., the news program, called ZiB 20, is now broadcast; which replaced the old Newsflash.
In comparison with the German channel ARD
ARD (broadcaster)
ARD is a joint organization of Germany's regional public-service broadcasters...
, ORF competes, on the one hand, with the second channel of its own broadcast service. ORF is closed to parts of the large German market because its programs are encrypted over satellite. In certain regions of Germany, e.g. Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
ORF can be received terrestrial without encryption. On the other hand, the big German private channels compete with ORF within Austria, because of their broadcast over cable television and unencrypted satellite. Therefore, the ORF is positioned only in Austria as a mainstream media, and seldom experiments with new programming.
High definition broadcast
On January 28, 2008, the ORF started its high-definitionHigh-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
services. The first broadcast was a ski race called The Nightrace in Schladming
Schladming
Schladming is a small mining town in the Austrian state of Styria, that is now very popular with tourists. It has become a large ski resort and has held various skiing competitions recently. The shopping area has lots of cafes, restaurant and a variety of shops and caters well for tourists.As of...
. A special HDTV event, introducing HD technology, was scheduled in all regional ORF stations right after. The technological partner for HD productions is Telekom Austria
Telekom Austria
Telekom Austria is a provider of a range of fixed line, mobile, data, and Internet communications services. The company has a 100 per cent share in telecommunications provider A1 Telekom Austria....
.
In anticipation of the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, the ORF launched its new channel ORF1 HD. Since few ORF-made shows and movies are available in high-definition, many standard-definition programs are upscaled to achieve 720p quality.
Reception
ORF1 HD is broadcast on Astra 19.2 degrees east on 10,832 GHz horizontal (SR 22000, FEC 5/6). Test operations started on May 1, 2008. 10 days later, ORF1 HD was available to those households, who owned an ORF or PremierePremiere (pay television network)
Sky Deutschland AG, branded as Sky, is a German media company which operates the first pay television platform in Germany and Austria, offering several channels of digital content via satellite and cable....
card. Those who could receive ORF1 HD, saw a trailer, showing sport, film and documentation highlights. The programme is also available through Cable and IPTV.
The official start of ORF1 HD was June 2 2008, just a few days before the start of Euro 2008. Since then, the output of ORF1 is broadcast in high definition.
Programming
Contrary to initial expectations, just small sporting events have been broadcast in HD after Euro 2008. The HD output of ORF1 HD is limited to imported American TV series such as CSI: MiamiCSI: Miami
CSI: Miami is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation....
, House M.D., Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
and Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
. Note that Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy are broadcast in both English and German.
Also, most Sunday evening movies are broadcast in HD.
Branding
Due to a redesign in 2000, ORF1 received a new logo: a moving, gelatinous cube with the number 1 inside. The logo has been lovingly nicknamed "Jelli."In 2005, there was another update to ORF's on-screen design. To avoid a burning in of the logo onto plasma screens, it is no longer green but gray all-over.
In 2010, it was announced that ORF1 would be rebranded as "ORF eins" from January 8, 2011.