Mega Channel (1989–2018)

Old Mega Channel logo
(1989–1999)

Mega is the first private television station to launch in Greece on 20 November 1989 and was the trade name of Teletypos S.A. (Τηλέτυπος A.E.)

The channel regularly achieved the top ratings spot in Greece through its varied programming including comedies, dramas, news, current affairs and entertainment shows. Examples include the popular Greek comedies Sto Para Pente, Savatogenimmenes and Maria, i Aschimi.

The channel was also granted the rights to Victoria Hislop's novel The Island. This became a 26 episode drama series called To Nisi. The show was the most expensive show in Greek television history with a budget of €4 million.

Financial problems and subsequent closure

Since 2012, the parent company had been experiencing financial issues due to poor borrowing practises. In 2016, the channels debts were reported to be approximately €116 million. At the same time, reports of staff being unpaid began to emerge.

In 2016, it was reported that the company was restructuring loans in order to continue operations. This was despite the fact the company didn't proceed with a share capital increase of 15 million euros that was agreed in exchange for the banks agreeing to extend their return to 2021.

The staff of Mega Channel continued to keep the channel on air despite not being paid and being ignored by the parent company. The decision was taken to cease all news and live programming and instead focus on rebroadcasting content from their extensive program library without commercial breaks.

Mega continued broadcasting until it was removed from the platforms. The channel was removed by Digea (the company responsible for digital over-the-air broadcasting in Greece) at 02:08:36 on the morning of 28th October 2018. The channel was then also removed from pay-TV platforms on 20 November 2018. The channel did continue to broadcast via online streaming from its webpage.

Sale of assets

On 1 November 2019, the Mega Channel branding, logo and vast program library were put up for auction.

The winning bid of €33,999,999 belonged to Alter Ego Mass Media Co. S.A.

Mega Channel (2020–present)

Following the auction, plans were put in place to re-launch Mega.

On 17 February 2020, the channel relaunched with a variety of live programming, news, movies and selected programs from its program library.

The channel was using the familiar 'Mega Mou' (My Mega) on-screen branding that was originally used between 2010 and 2014 as well as the new tag line of Mega όπως πάντα! (Mega as always!). However, on June 27, 2021, the channel retired the 'Mega Mou' branding and began to use a new ident package in which objects form the logo.

Under the ownership of Alter Ego, the channel is now located at 340 Syngrou Avenue, Kallithea, Athens, Greece.

Greek

Current shows include:

• Koinonia Ora Mega (Community Time MEGA) - A revamped version of its predecessor (Koinonia Ora 8). Current affairs show that examines the issues affecting everyday people in Greece and abroad. Features discussion with in-studio guests. The show is hosted by Iordanis Hasapopoulos and Anthi Voulgari. Airs Monday - Friday at 05:00.
• Live News - hosted by Nikos Evaggelatos. Airs Monday - Friday at 16:20.
• Mega Gegonota (Mega News) - Daily newscast in Greek featuring news from Greece and around the world. Airs daily 12:45 & 19:45 (hosted by Dora Anagnostopoulou at 12:45, Rania Tzima on weekdays except Fridays at 19:45, Katerina Panagopoulou on Fridays and weekends at 19:45 and George Evgenidis on weekends at 12:45).
• Mega Savvatokiriako (Mega Weekend) - Morning show for the weekend. It features news, sports highlights, current affairs and more. Hosted by Dinos Siomopoulos and Stella Gadona. Airs Saturday & Sunday at 05:00.
• MEGA Stories - hosted by Dora Anagnostopoulou. Airs Tuesday at 00:10.
• Super Balla Live - Sports Broadcast hosted by Antonis Karpetopoulos. Every Sunday at 23:50.
• Pame Danai (Let's go Danai) - hosted by Danai Barka. Airs Monday - Friday at 10:45.
• Mega Kalimera (Mega Good Morning) - hosted by Eleonora Meleti. Airs Monday - Friday at 07:45.
• Ti Les Twra! (What are you talking about Now!) - hosted by Katerina Karavatou. Airs Saturday & Sunday at 13:45.
• Celebrity Game Night - hosted by Smaragda Karidi. Airs Friday at 22:00.
• Mega Star - hosted by Manto Gasteratou and Antonis Dimitriadis. Airs Saturday at 16:30.
• Fos Sto Tounel - hosted by Aggeliki Nikolouli. Airs Fridays at 23:20.
• The Chase - hosted by Maria Mpekatorou. Airs Monday - Friday at 18:40.

Current series include:

• I Gi Tis Elias - drama
• Komanta Kai Drakoi - drama
• Simpetheri apo ta tirana - comedy
• To Aurio Mas Anikei - drama
• O Daskalos - comedy

Foreign series

• Mr. Mercedes - American crime drama.
• For Life - American legal drama.
• Forensic Files - American documentary-style.
• Outlander - American historical drama.
• When Calls the Heart - Canadian-American romantic drama.
• CSI: Miami - American police procedural drama

Current

Alter Ego Mass Media Co. S.A. - Epixeirisi Meson Mazikis Enimerosis

Former

Teletypos S.A. of Television Programmes (100%)

• Alter Ego Mass Media Co. S.A. - Epixeirisi Meson Mazikis Enimerosis (22,11%)
• Elenovo Ltd. - Anna Leonidou (19,63%)
• Pegasus Publications S.A. (13,09%)
• HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) S.A. (4,88%)
• GS Bank (4,80%)
• Moongold Investments Limited (3,32%)
• Baltazzi Investments Limited (3,26%)
• Goodlass Investments Limited (3,26%)
• Opalton Investments Limited (3,26%)
• Benbay Limited - Victoras Restis (3,19%)
• Saran Holdings S.A. SPF (2,81%)
• Prime Applications S.A. - Dimitris Kopelouzos (2,68%)
• Elkin Holdings S.A. (2,33%)
• Ascope Trading Limited (1,55%)
• EOK Equity Limited (1,32%)
• WAKO Investments S.A. (1,04%)
• Cyrenia Enterprises S.A. (1,02%)
• LAGAN Enterprises S.A. (1,02%)
• Tone Business S.A. (1,02%)
• Valens Trading S.A. (1,02%)
• Rest shareholders (3,39%)