RÚV
 | This article does not have any sources. (May 2018) |
 | |
| Type | radio and television |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | National; international (selected programmes via the Internet) |
| Owner | Republic of Iceland |
Key people | Stefán Eiríksson, Director General |
Launch date | 1930 (incorporation) 1930 (radio) 1966 (television) |
Official website | www.ruv.is Company information in English |
RÚV (Icelandic: Ríkisútvarpið, meaning "National Broadcasting") is the national public-service broadcasting organization of Iceland. It was founded in 1930 and operates from its headquarters in Reykjavík, as well as regional centers around the country.[1] RÚV runs two television channels — RÚV (which broadcasts all the time) and RÚV 2 (which only broadcasts for special events) — and two main radio stations, Rás 1 and Rás 2. It also runs Rondó, a classical and jazz music radio station launched in 2004.[1] RÚV is a member of the European Broadcasting Union and is responsible for selecting Iceland's entries to the Eurovision Song Contest.[2] It broadcasts mostly in the Icelandic language.
Funding
[change | change source]RÚV is paid for by a flat licence fee collected from all Icelanders between the ages of 18 and 70, as well as by advertising revenue. In 2024, RÚV's total budget was ISK 9.15 billion (approximately €61 million), with ISK 6.13 billion coming from the licence fee and ISK 2.55 billion from advertising and sponsorship.[3] RÚV lost its monopoly as Iceland's only permitted broadcaster in 1986 and has faced competition from private broadcasters since then.[4]
Digital and Online
[change | change source]As of 2023, most people in Iceland access RÚV through the internet rather than traditional broadcast signals.[5] RÚV provides an app for Apple TV, iOS, Android TV and Android. Programmes can be watched free of charge from within Iceland. In 2024, RÚV launched RÚV Orð, a free service that lets Icelandic language learners watch RÚV programmes with interactive subtitles in ten languages, including English, French, German, Polish, Spanish and Ukrainian.[6]
Current programmes
[change | change source]Recurring
[change | change source]- Fréttir, the main news programme at 7 p.m.
- Kastljós, a news/talk programme (similar to Newsnight)
- Kveikur, an explanatory news programme (similar to BBC's Panorama)
- Gettu betur, a long-running game/quiz show
- Vikan með Gísla Marteini, an entertainment/talk show
- Landinn, a programme about rural locations in Iceland
- Áramótaskaupið, a New Year's Eve comedy special with an audience of up to 90% of viewers
- Jóladagatal Sjónvarpsins, an ongoing series of televised Advent calendars.
Other original programming
[change | change source]- Verbúðin (Blackport), a series set in the 1980s in the Westfjords.
- Brot (The Valhalla Murders)
- Ófærð (Trapped), a mystery drama series set in Seyðisfjörður.
- Ráðherran (The Minister)
- Latibær (LazyTown)
- Spaugstofan
- Sigla himinfley, a 4-part drama mini-series
Animation
[change | change source]| Titles | Titles in Icelandic | AirDates |
|---|---|---|
| Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000) | Kátur, stóri rauði hundurinn (2022) | December 3, 2022 |
| Clifford the Big Red Dog (2019) | Kátur, stóri rauði hundurinn | October 7, 2022 |
| Curious George | Friðþjófur Forvitni | 2007 |
| Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood | Vinabær Danna tígurs | unknown |
| SciGirl | SciStelpa | October 2022 |
| Donkey Hodie | Asni Hodie | April 25, 2023 |
| Big Blue | Stóri blái | August 27, 2024 |
Upcoming programmes
[change | change source] | This article does not have information about the upcoming programmes of RÙV. (April 2026) |
Former programmes
[change | change source]Animation
[change | change source]
Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman sótt með Ruff Ruffman 2007-2019
- Bob the Builder (Bubbi byggir)
References
[change | change source]- 1 2 "About RÚV". RÚV. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ "European Broadcasting Union members". Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ "Ríkisútvarpið (RUV)". State Media Monitor. August 2024. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ "Ríkisútvarpið". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ "National Broadcaster RÚV Launches New Icelandic Language Resource". Iceland Review. June 11, 2024. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
1. RUV founding, Headquarters, radio stations, Rondó Ríkisútvarpið https://www.ruv.is/um-ruv/about-ruv retried April 2026[1]
2. RUV's budget, license fee structure, and advertising revenue (2024 figures). State Media Monitor, MEdia and Journalism Research Center, August 9, 2024. https://statemediamonitor.com/2024/08/rikisutvarpid-ruv/ and State Media Monitor Global Dataset 2025 Zenodo https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17219015
3. Stefán Eiríksson appointed Director General of RUV (replacing Magnús Geir Þórðarson). European Broadcasting Union https://www.ebu.ch/news/2020/03/new-director-general-for-ruv
4. Satellite service VIA Thor 5 ended (Telanor ASA) ended mid 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%9AV_(TV_channel)
5. RUV is a member of the European Broadcasting Union: responsible for Iceland's Eurovision entries. Last updated April 2026 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%9AV_(TV_channel)
6. RUV lost it's broadcasting monopoly in 1986. February 7 2022 https://www.redtech.pro/ruv-strikes-balance-between-modernity-and-identity/
7. RÚV Orð language learning service launched in 2024 https://www.icelandreview.com/news/national-broadcaster-ruv-launches-new-icelandic-language-resource/
8. As of 2023 most Icelanders access RUV VIA the internet, March 2026 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%9AV
Other websites
[change | change source]- Official Site
- About RÚV: official webpage in English
- Live Radio Archived 2018-05-19 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "About RÚV - RÚV.is". RÚV. 2022-11-21. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
