HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF RADIO AND TELEVISION

 BROADCASTING IN TURKEY

 

 

 

A Brief History of Radio and Television Bro­ad­casts 

Until 1963 

The history of radio broadcasts dates back to the first qu­ar­ter of the 20th century. The first official radio broadcast was aired in 1922 by the British Bro­ad­cas­ting Cor­po­ra­ti­on (BBC). The first regularly scheduled television program was also bro­ad­cast by the BBC in 1936. Turkish radio broadcasts began on 6 May 1927 in İstanbul. 

With the enactment of the "Wireless Installation Law" in 1925 wireless stations began to be built in Ankara and İstanbul. In order to use these stations for radio broadcasts, the ne­ces­sary equipment was added to the 5 kW. PTT trans­mit­ters (1925-1927) and the first radio broadcasts began in Ankara. 

Fol­lo­wing these test broadcasts, the "Turkish Wi­re­less Inc." (TTTAŞ) was founded by İş Bank. The Anatolian News Agency, two de­pu­ti­es and a businessman, were given sole bro­ad­cas­ting ma­na­ge­ment rights for 10 years and broadcasting began on 6 May 1927. Based on a contract between the Corporation and the In­te­ri­or Ministry, radio broadcasts included news programs, con­certs, weather reports and lectures on a variety of sub­jects for the public's benefit. 

A few months later, in October 1927, Ankara Radio star­ted its regular broadcasts which we­re aired everyday from 19.00 to 22.00 via 5 kW transmitters. At the time, there were 1,178 receivers in Turkey. 

 

 Transmitters in 1935 (*)

 

 

Power

Frequency

 Wave length Affiliate

 

 (kW)

 (khz)

 (m)

 Institution

 

 

 

 

 

Ankara

7

230

1.304

 TRT

İstanbul

5

186.5

1.609

 TRT

 

 

 

 

 

(*) ITU (International Telecommunications Union)

 

 

Un­der Law No.3222 enacted in 1937, responsibility for ra­dio bro­ad­casts was transferred from the Turkish Wireless Inc. to the Post Office and thus the period of private company ma­na­ge­ment ca­me to an end and state radios were established. 

Long wave broadcasts had 120 kW transmitters and at the same time short wave broadcasts were initiated which were beamed to foreign countries beginning on 22 July 1938. They used 20 kW transmitters. In order to broadcast programs, "Ankara Radio" was established on 28 October 1938. 

With the enact­ment of Law No. 3837 in 1940, radio stations were brought under the control of the Di­rec­to­ra­te General of Press and Information. 

In 1949, the first medium-wave broadcasts were beamed from the İs­tan­bul-Ümraniye 150 kW. transmitter. 

 

Radio Transmitters and Broadcasts in 1949

 

Broadcast

Place

Power

Frequency

Beamed to

 

 

(kW)

(kHz)

 

Radio Turkey

Etimesgut

120

182

Central Anatolia (National Broadcast)

Ankara Radio

Etimesgut

120

6000

Central Europe

 

 

 

7240

Central Europe

 

 

 

9465

The Balkans and the Near East

 

 

 

11760

 

 

 

 

17720

 

İstanbul Radio

Ümraniye

150

704

Thrace, Marmara and the Northern Aegean

On 19 November 1949, a new 100 kW radio transmitter was put into operation in Ça­kır­lar for short-wave broadcasts to Ame­ri­ca, Western Europe and the Far East. The same year a short-wave 400 kW radio transmitter was put into service by the İz­mir municipality for broadcasts to İzmir. In 1953 it acquired a sta­te radio status. 

Fol­lo­wing the 1961 Constitution, a new and productive pe­ri­od for State radios began. Under the resolution adopted by the Co­un­cil of Ministers on 31 May 1961, seven provincial ra­dio sta­ti­ons were set up (Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir, Adana, Antalya, Ga­zi­an­tep and Kars). Erzurum Radio had already started ope­ra­ting in January 1961. 

In 1963, the power of the Etimesgut transmitter which bro­ad­casts long-wave programs on Ankara Radio was increased to 240 kW. 

All radio stations were attached to the Tourism and In­for­ma­ti­on Mi­nistry in 1963.

Between 1963-1971 

With the adoption of the 1961 Constitution, changes, re­ne­wal and developments were witnessed in Turkey in all fields. Radio and te­le­vi­si­on broadcasting, one of the most effective means of com­mu­ni­ca­ti­ons was assigned to the Turkish Radio and Te­le­vi­si­on Cor­po­ra­ti­on (TRT) according to the provision stipulated in Law No.121 of the Constitution which stated: "The management of ra­dio sta­ti­ons and television net­works are regulated under the law as au­to­no­mo­us public corporate bodies". The Turkish Radio Television Law No.359 was approved on December 24, 1963, and went into effect on May 1, 1964.

On 1 January 1965, the first TRT programming period began, and all radio stations jointly broadcast news bulletins with An­ka­ra Radio at the same specified times. 

In 1967, the 100 kW long-wave Erzurum Radio transmitter be­gan ope­ra­ting; in 1968 the 300 kW medium-wave Çukurova Radio, the 100 kW medium-wave İzmir Radio and the 2 kW Trabzon Ra­dio trans­mit­ters began broadcasting, while in 1969 the 300 kW me­di­um-wave Diyarbakır Radio was put into operation. 

Me­anw­hi­le, the first television t­rans­missions in Turkey be­gan on 31 January 1968 which were transmitted from a studio in An­ka­ra. Television programs which were broadcast by means of a 5 kW transmitter in Dededoruk, Ankara were followed by trans­mis­si­ons from İzmir which began on 26 August 1968. In September 1970 programs began to be broadcast in İzmir. 

On 1 January 1970, İzmir radio began broadcasts on its se­cond station and on 30 December 1970 a 250 kW short-wave ra­dio trans­mit­ter began ope­ra­ting in Çakırlar, Ankara.

Between 1971 and 1982 

On 19 March 1971, television broadcasts began to be be­a­med from a transmitter in Eskişehir. On 30 August 1971, TRT Istanbul TV began broadcasting package Programs from the ITV Maçka Studio. The same year in Oc­to­ber, ra­dio-link systems between Ankara-İstanbul-İzmir were set up and two months later the İstanbul and İzmir television networks jo­i­ned An­ka­ra's central broadcasts. 

The autonomous structure of the TRT stipulated in the 121st ar­tic­le of the Constitution lasted only eight years. Article 121 was amended on 20 September 1971 and TRT was defined as an im­par­ti­al public corporate body. Following this amendment in the Cons­ti­tu­ti­on, the foundation charter of the TRT Law No.359, was al­so amended with Law No.1568 and the structure of the institution was turned into an impartial public corporate body. 

With the publication of the "Turkish Radio and Te­le­vi­si­on Cor­po­ra­ti­on Establishment and Duties Regulations" on 1 Sep­tem­ber 1972, a Program Planning Department was set up. Thus, plan­ning be­gan in radio and then in television broadcasts. 

On 26 August 1972, a TV program connection was es­tab­lis­hed bet­we­en the TRT and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) via radio link systems. On 13 January 1973, the Turkey-Italy fo­ot­ball ga­me was relayed live on television via Eurovision. 

To­wards the end of 1972, the 1100 kW long-wave Ankara Ra­dio trans­mit­ter went into operation.

An­tal­ya Radio, with a 600 kW medium-wave transmitter, and Hakkari ra­dio with a 1 kW short-wave transmitter started broadcasting in 1973. In 1974, auxiliary radio transmitters each of 100 kW po­wer be­gan operating in İzmir and in Erzurum. 

Ra­dio-2 and Radio-3 broadcasts began on 1 January 1975. 

Ra­dio-3 transferred its broadcast to FM channels on 14 Ap­ril 1978. The 300 kW medium-wave Trabzon radio trans­mit­ter sta­ti­on began broadcasts at this time, while the pro­vin­ci­al Trab­zon Radio continued its broadcasts regionally. 

On 31 December 1981, TRT tested the first color TV trans­mis­si­on on New Year's Eve. It however officially star­ted color broadcasts on 15 March 1984. During the same month, TRT had an international link via Intelsat.

1982 - 2000

On 26 February 1983, two 500 kW short-wave radio transmitters for the "Voice of Turkey" Turkish broadcast were put into operation at Çakırlar, Ankara. 

Ra­dio-3 which broadcast via FM channels began its ste­reo bro­ad­casts in 1984. 

An amendment regulating radio and television broadcasts in Tur­key was made in the Constitution, adopted by a referendum on 6 No­vem­ber 1982. In line with Article 133 of the Constitution, ra­dio stations and television networks could only be es­tab­lis­hed by the state and their management would be as public cor­po­ra­te bo­di­es. Furthermore, the principle of impartiality would be pre­ser­ved in the ma­na­ge­ment and supervision of the institution, es­tab­lish­ment of the administrative bodies and in all radio and te­le­vi­si­on broadcasts. 

Pa­ral­lel to this constitutional amendment, the new Law No.2954 which was instrumental in the establishment of a new high le­vel board in the field of broadcasting, went into effect in 1983. The most important change brought about by the new law was the establishment of a "Supreme Board of Radio and Te­le­vi­si­on Bro­ad­casts", which had authority over TRT. On 15 September 1986, TRT's second channel (TRT-2) based in İstanbul began bro­ad­casts. Towards the end of the same year, the TRT-1 and TRT-2 chan­nels began broadcasting via the Intelsat V F7, 66 degrees E. sa­tel­li­te. The monitoring station from the first satellite was set up for the Muş transmitter. As of this date, TRT te­le­vi­si­on bro­ad­casts have been transmitting via satellite links.

In 1986, all Radio-3 broadcasts were in stereo. 

On February 1, 1987, TRT was linked to the EBU via satellite, and began exchange programs.

On July 2, 1986, the Ağrı long-wave, on July 18, 1986 the De­niz­li me­di­um-wave, on December 25, 1986 Gaziantep medium-wave and on Ap­ril 22, 1987 the Malatya medium-wave radio transmitters be­gan ope­ra­ting. 

The Radio-4 radio station began to broadcast on Oc­to­ber 18, 1987. 

Under Law No.3517 passed on January 12, 1989, the TRT trans­mit­ting stations were transferred to the PTT Di­rec­to­ra­te Ge­ne­ral and so were their personnel. The law was repealed by the Cons­ti­tu­ti­o­nal Court on May 18, 1990, however, during the time that has elapsed the transmitters have not been returned to TRT. 

On October 2, 1989, the TRT Channel-3 began to broadcast. Re­ser­ve transmitters of the TRT-2 main transmitters, which we­re tur­ned over to Türk-Telekom, were then allocated to TRT-3. At the sa­me time, in a total of 22 provinces in East and So­ut­he­ast Ana­to­lia, GAP-TV began broadcasting from these transmitters and the re­lay stations of TRT-2 when they were not in use. On Ap­ril 12, 1991, GAP TV began bro­ad­cas­ting nationwide via the TRT-2 ma­in trans­mit­ters and relay stations.

Te­le­text's broadcast Telegün which is also known as the te­le­vi­si­on newspaper began operating on January 10, 1990. 

On February 28, 1990, the TRT-INT TV channel designed to ser­ve viewers abroad started operating and TRT-INT which be­gan its broadcasts via Eutelsat I F4 satellite, 13 degrees E. le­a­sed by The Netherlands Postal Services to Turk Telekom was trans­fer­red to Eutelsat II F1 satellite, 13 degrees E. in Oc­to­ber of the same year and it is still in operation in addition to the Türk­sat IC satellite. 

TRT-4, an educational channel began trial broadcasts on July 30, 1990. 

The Tourism Radio, formerly the Holiday Radio, was the first radio established in Turkey to serve tourists. It began trial bro­ad­casts from Lara, Antalya in 1990. The programs broadcast by the Tourism Radio are relayed to the Gölbaşı Satellite Gro­und Sta­ti­on and via Türksat 1C to a total of nine FM transmitters in An­tal­ya, Kalkan, Kuşadası, Denizli-Çakıroluk, İstanbul, İz­mir-Karaburun, Marmaris, Bodrum and Nevşehir-Idiş. After the To­u­rism Radio opened, its broadcasts began to be transmitted via sa­tel­li­te. 

On November 12, 1990, a 1200 kW medium-wa­ve İs­tan­bul-Çatalca transmitter went into operation to broadcast prog­rams on Radio-2 and the 150 kW radio transmitter at İs­tan­bul-Ümraniye was closed. On March 7, 1991, a 600 kW long-wa­ve Van radio transmitter began operating and the provincial ra­di­os in Van and Hakkari were closed. 

From 1991 onwards, the first FM channels aimed at bro­ad­cas­ting programs on Ra­dio-1 were set up and additional FM transmitters be­gan to be established in addition to the 49 FM transmitters which bro­ad­cast programs on Radio-3 and Radio-4.

On April 15, 1991, Diyarbakır Radio began its trans­mis­si­ons as GAP Radio covering 22 provinces in Eastern and So­ut­he­as­tern Ana­to­lia. 

TRT-AVRASYA TV started its broadcasts beamed to Uz­be­kis­tan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Ta­ji­kis­tan via the Intelsat V F7 satellite, 57 degrees E. on April 27, 1992 and after Sep­tem­ber 23, 1994 was relayed to the Central Asian Turkish-Speaking Re­pub­lics via the Türksat IB satellite, 42 degrees E. From October 19, 1994 on­wards, all radio and television broadcasts were trans­fer­red from the INTELSAT satellite to Türksat IB satellite and the In­tel­sat satellite was no longer used to relay transmissions after No­vem­ber 17, 1994. 

In 1993, Radio-4 (TRT-FM) and Radio-2 (News Radio) inc­re­a­sed the­ir broadcasting hours to 24 hours daily. In November 1995, Ra­dio-1 FM transmitters also started broadcasting 24 hours a day.

On 25 September 1995, five 500 kW short-wave trans­mit­ters at Emirler, Ankara began to broadcast programs of the "Vo­i­ce of Turkey". During this time, the transmitters beamed to fo­re­ign co­unt­ri­es reached 10, and total transmission power was 4250 kW. 

Bet­we­en 1993-1995 all TRT radio transmissions be­gan to be relayed via satellite in analog and numerical forms. On No­vem­ber 24, 1995, Radio-4 (TRT FM) began to broadcast via TRT's INT TV auxiliary vocal transmitters on the Eutelsat II F1 sa­tel­li­te to Europe. From September 8, 1997 onwards, the same radio prog­rams we­re broadcast by TRT's INT TV auxiliary vocal trans­mit­ters co­ve­ring Europe via the Türksat IC satellite. 

When Turkey's second satellite, Türksat IC, began to operate, all radio and TV channels broadcasting in the country were transferred to transponders on the satellite covering the West on September 26, 1996 and to the transponders covering the East a month later. On 5 November 1996, TRT-INT TV began its broadcasts from the first transponder on Türksat IC covering the West. 

The TGNA (Turkish Grand National Assembly) TV chan­nel es­tab­lis­hed on January 10, 1995, began its test broadcasts on TRT chan­nel-3 and on 11 December 1996, it was officially opened.

Ha­tay Radio beamed to Hatay province and its en­vi­rons be­gan test broadcasts on March 18, 1997 and regular prog­rams began on April 20, 1997. 

From March 31, 1997 onwards, Radio-1 programs on FM chan­nels be­ca­me stereo broadcasts.

Radio-2 (News Radio) was closed on November 1, 1997, Ra­dio-4 (TRT-FM) was changed to Radio-2 (TRT FM, the Se­cond Prog­ram of Turkish Radio and  Television). Three FM transmitters (Çanakkale, İz­mir and Muğla) broadcasting programs on Radio-2 we­re linked to Radio-1 stations, and three transmitters (Ağrı, Po­lat­lı-Ankara, Çatalca-İstanbul) to the mono TRT FM channel. 

On December 6, 1999, Radio-4 went into operation and broadcast only Turkish Folk Music and Turkish Classical Music, in addition to the news bulletins it aired on the hour. As of 3 January 2000, it began broadcasting 24 hours a day. In the beginning, Radio-4 and programs using three FM transmitters, in addition to three amplitude modulation transmitters in Ankara-Polatlı, İstanbul-Çatalca and Ağrı. 

On March 13, 1998, the "Voice of Turkey" broadcasts began to be transmitted to Europe and Central Asia via auxiliary vo­cal trans­mit­ters of TRT-INT and TRT- AVRASYA via the Türksat IC satellite.

The analogue TRT-INT TV and TRT-FM and TRT-VOT Turkish and foreign language Programs targeted to Europe and North Africa were transferred to Eutelsat Hotbird-5 (130E) on November 10, 1998.

TRT-INT TV and TRT-FM and TRT-VOT Turkish and foreign language broadcasts have been transmitted to Australia and New Zealand in digital format via the Thaicom 3 (780E) and the Optus B3 (1560E) since July 25, 1999. 

On June 7, 2000, TRT-INT TV and TRT-FM and TRT-VOT Turkish and foreign language digital broadcasts were beamed to the USA and Canada. These programs are currently available via Intelsat 605 (332,50E), Telstar 5 (2630E) ant Eutelsat Sesat (360E). 

Under Law No. 4397 passed on July 10, 1999, the TRT transmitters which used to be run by the Turkish Telecom Inc. were returned to the TRT on 01.01.2000, with their staff.

Broadcasts in foreign languages began to be transmitted by auxiliary vocal transmitters of the TRT-TÜRK TV via the Türksat 1C satellite on March 23, 2001.

2000 and after

The programs on the TRT TV channels have been re-arranged in order to cre­a­te mo­re attractive, effective and competitive TV broadcasting taking into consideration that these channels are state-run. The new broadcasts began on February 1, 2001. The new formats are as follows: 

TRT-1: This television channel which broadcasts to all viewers provides information and entertainment by means of its programs. The programs include Turkish movies, music and talk shows, children’s programs in addition to news and sports bulletins. The basic aim of the channel is the family. 

TRT-2 News-Information Channel: This television channel is for those who want to receive more detailed news bulletins. The programs include news, documentaries, cultural programs, forums, sports competitions and other sports activities. 

TRT-3 (TRT-GAP and TBMM-TV): The TRT-GAP TV broadcasts at certain hours and TGNA-TV broadcasts when the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) is in session. In addition to these broadcasts, there are many sports programs. 

TRT-4: This television channel is educational and provides instruction planned by the National Education Ministry and Anadolu University. 

TRT-INT and TRT-TÜRK: The programs broadcast by these two channels aim at Turks living abroad so that they can maintain their cultural identity. The TRT-AVRASYA has been changed to the TRT-TÜRK. 

BROADCASTS IN LOCAL LANGUAGES

The first broadcast in local languages was aired on June 7 at 10:30 a.m. on the state-owned Channel-3 of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT). The programs include news, music and documentaries. Broadcasts in local languages and dialects include Bosnian, Kurdish (Kirmachi, Zaza), Circassian and Arabic. According to the regulations, the radio broadcasts are at most 60 minutes a day and five hours a week and 45 minutes a day and four hours a week on television.

 

Broadcasts in different languages and dialects used traditionally by Turkish citizens in their daily life first began with a radio program on the state-run TRT Radio 1 in Bosnian at 6.10 a.m. on June 7.
 

After the Bosnian broadcast which lasted about 35 minutes, the program was broadcast in Turkish. The radio program ended at 6.45 a.m. Announcers read domestic and world news and sports bulletins in the program named ''Our Cultural Heritage.'' The program was also broadcast on the state-run TRT-3 television channel at 10.30 a.m. Radio-1 and TRT-3 broadcasts programs in Bosnian on Mondays, Arabic on Tuesdays, Kirman on Wednesdays, Circassian on Thursdays and Zazaish on Fridays. The previous and the current government passed laws to adjust to the European Union (EU) criteria. These laws included Turkey's commitment to start broadcasting in different languages and dialects. The EU attaches great importance to broadcasting in different languages and dialects in Turkey since it wants to see Turkey implement the EU harmonization laws.  

PRI­VA­TE RADIO STATIONS AND TELEVISION CHANNELS  

The monopoly of the Turkish Radio and Te­le­vi­si­on Cor­po­ra­ti­on (TRT) on broadcasts stipulated in the Constitution ended after 1990 with many radio stations and television channels beginning to broadcast illegally both at home and abroad. 

Following this development, legal regulations were sought and an amend­ment to Article 133 of the Constitution calling for an im­par­ti­al state broadcasting system was proposed. With the enactment of Law No. 3913 on July 8, 1993, Article 133 of the Cons­ti­tu­ti­on was amended as follows: "Radio stations and te­le­vi­si­on channels may be freely established and managed within the sti­pu­la­ti­ons established by law. The independence and impartiality of the only ra­dio and television institution established by the state as a pub­lic corporate body as well as news agencies aided as public cor­po­ra­te bo­di­es are essential." 

In line with the amended Article 133, the TRT monopoly of on te­le­vi­si­on broadcasts as the sole television institution which be­gan operating in 1964 ended Thus, there was no question of private radio stations and television networks breaking the constitution from 1990 on­wards.    

RADIO AND TELEVISION SUPREME COUNCIL (RTÜK) 

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) was established on April 13, 1994, under Law No.3984, which de­ter­mi­nes the regulations to which private radio stations and TV chan­nels and the TRT are required to abide by. Arrangements are made for the harmonization of the Radio and Television stations Founding and Broadcasting Law with EU standards.

Functions and powers of the Radio and Television Supreme Council: 

·        In keeping with Article 16, to issue, commensurate with standards of impartiality and fairness, broadcasting permits and licenses to applicants who have complied with the prerequisites; to allocate channels and frequency bands, with due respect to the use on a time sharing basis and in keeping with regional balances of at least 50 percent of the channels and frequency bands included in the national, regional and local frequency plans, excluding those channels and frequency bands used by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation,

·        Under the provisions of Radiocommunications Law No. 2813 of 5.4.1983, to issue establishment and operation permits to radio and television enterprises for transmitting facilities to cover broadcast service areas allocated to radio and television enterprises according to national frequency plans for national, regional and local broadcasts and to supervise the compliance of the facilities under the provisions of the Radiocommunications Law and with the prerequisites for such facilities,

·   Under the provisions of this law, to issue licenses for the construction and operation of telecommunication facilities so that, in addition to the radio and television transmitters provided for in the national frequency plans and to the existing telecommunications network between stationary and mobile transmitting units, radio and television enterprises can establish radiolink stations for the purpose of linking up to satellites in order to relay  their national and local broadcasts, on condition that these are used solely for the objectives set forth, and to verify that these facilities operate in keeping with the provisions of Radiocommunications Law No. 2813 dated 5.4.1983,

·        To encourage enterprises to extend their broadcasts to various regions of the country, while observing regional balances in the allocation of time sharing channels,

·        To specify and publicize, while bearing in mind the principles of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television , the prerequisites and standards to be fulfilled by public and private radio and television enterprises that intend to transmit from within the country in order to apply for broadcasting permits and licenses,

·        To establish via relevant regulations the preconditions for allocating channels and frequency bands, the deadlines for recipients of allocations to start regular broadcasts, and the broadcasting permit and license fees to be paid by operators of radio and television stations,

·        To verify the compliance of broadcasts with the provisions of Article 4 above and with international treaties to which Turkey is a Party by setting up monitoring systems for radio and television broadcasts,

·        To decide on the relevant sanctions in cases of violation of the provisions of this Law or of the conditions for frequency allocation,

·        To permit building of radio and television transmitters by local means in parts of national territory that cannot be reached by available transmissions.

·        To ensure that broadcasts from or to national territory to be transmitted via satellite conform to national and international rules and standards, and to cooperate to this end with competent authorities in other states ,

·        To formulate the rules to be applied to encoded broadcasts and to cable radio and television installations and broadcasts within the framework of this Law, taking care not to leave any surplus capacity in the cable radio and television facilities of the PTT Administration,

·        To conduct or commission public opinion surveys in order to follow regularly the reaction, approval or sensibilities  of the public and to provide appropriate guidance  in relation to radio and television broadcasts, on condition that the functions and powers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are preserved,

·     On condition that the functions of the Directorate General of Radiocommunications and the functions and powers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are preserved, to represent the State at organizations that have legal personality under international law, and are concerned with radio and television broadcasts, as well as fulfilling the representation function at international organizations concerned with radio and television broadcasts but without legal personality under international law; to sign duly the instruments formulated under this paragraph,

·        To evaluate trends in public opinion by periodically consulting with institutionsand agencies on radio and television broadcasts,

·        To draft the regulations and other rules regarding its own work and activities in keeping with this law and the European Convention on Transfrontier Television.

 

The last application to obtain licenses for radio and television broadcasts was submitted in 1995. There have been no applications made since then. Between March 18, 1995 and April 28, 1995 the number of joint stock companies which applied for licenses to broadcast on television was 21 for national broadcasts, 18 for regional broadcasts and 219 for local broadcasts. Between June 22, 1995 and December 8, 1995, the number of joint stock companies which applied for licenses to broadcast on radio was 36 for national broadcasts, 102 for regional broadcasts and 958 for local broadcasts. Each joint stock company which fulfills the legal requirements is eligible to apply to the Supreme Council for cable TV and satellite broadcasting licenses. If these companies meet the legal requirements they are granted the license and permission to broadcast by the Supreme Council. To date, the number of cable TVs is 66, the number of televisions broadcasting via satellite is 74 and the number of radios broadcasting via satellite is 47. The number of national television channels is 24; the number of regional television channels is 16 while the number of local television channels is 214. The number of national radio stations is 36; the number of regional radio stations is 102 and the number of local radio stations is 958.

 

TRT RADIO BROADCASTS (February 1, 2004)

NATIONAL NETWORKS 

RADIO-1

Aim

The aim of Radio-1 is to provide news and information; to respond to listeners' musical tastes; and to entertain and help develop, national cultural integration and education considering the widest listener range. The transmissions which are realized in accordance with these purposes consist of educational- cultural, drama, music and entertainment, news, commercials and sports programs. 

Broadcasts

Radio-1 is on 24 hours a day and broadcasts continuously. Broadcasts are aired via AM transmitters in Ankara, İstanbul and on 109 FM transmitters in Izmir. 

Transmitters

Radio-1 broadcasts are transmitted via the 1200 kW LW Ankara- Polatlı, 1200 kW İstanbul- Mudanya, 200 kW MW İzmir, 100 kW LW Ağrı, 1000 kW LW Ağrı transmitters plus 109 FM transmitters.

Coverage 

AM Population Coverage: 98.6%

AM Area Coverage: 95%

FM Population Coverage: 97%

FM Area Coverage: 97% 

Rating

According to a survey conducted in December 1999, which covered all of Turkey, the rating of Radio-1 was 5.4%; while a survey of East and Southeast Turkey conducted in June 2000 yielded a rating of 4.8%.

 

First Broadcast

JANUARY 1, 1975

RADIO-2 (TRT-FM)

Aim

The target of TRT-FM (Radio-2) is to help listeners further develop their musical taste and culture. This is achieved through broadcasts which consist of Turkish Folk Music, Turkish Classical Music and Pop Music. Broadcasts are live and 24 hours a day. There are news broadcasts presented once every hour in addition to short spoken passages which contribute to education and culture, brief statements and comments on current affairs and events, on-the-scene reporting, and interviews with guests and concerts. 

Broadcasting

TRT-FM offers continuous stereo live broadcasts all-around-the clock beamed from the Ankara, İstanbul and İzmir Radio stations. 

Transmitters

TRT- FM Transmission is achieved via 274 FM transmitters

Coverage 

Population Coverage: 99% Area Coverage: 98% 

Rating

According to a nationwide survey conducted in December 1999, the TRT-FM’s rating was 17.6%; while according to the survey that covered East and Southeast Turkey conducted in June 2000, the rating was 19.9%. The last survey that covered the Çukurova region in October 2001, yielded a rating of 27%, which was second best to the TRT Çukurova Regional Radio.

According to the Erzurum Regional Radio Survey conducted in December 2004, TRT FM was the best in Erzurum among 51 stations that broadcast in the region with a rating of 22.7 %.

According to the Antalya Regional Radio Survey conducted in December 2004 TRT-FM was;

The best in Antalya among 57 stations that broadcast in the region with a rating of 26.9%,

The best in Isparta among 23 stations that broadcast in the region with a rating of 32.9%

The best in Burdur among 26 stations that broadcast in the region with a rating of 36.2%

 

First Broadcast

MAY 12, 1993 

RADIO-3

Aim 

The aim of Radio-3 which is a wide range music broadcasting station is to help listeners further develop musical tastes and culture as a result of its broadcasts which include Classical Music, Classic Jazz Programs, and Light and Pop Music. Radio-3 also includes news broadcasts not only in Turkish but also in English, French and German in order to serve the foreign community in Turkey. 

Broadcasting 

Radio-3 which broadcasts from Ankara Radio, offers continuous stereo broadcasts 24 hours a day. 

Transmitters

Radio-3 transmissions are carried out by 105 FM transmitters. 

Coverage 

Population Coverage: 97% Area Coverage: 98% 

Rating

According to a nationwide survey conducted in December 1999, the TRT-3 rating was 0.7%; according to the survey that covered East and Southeast Turkey conducted in June 2000, the rating was 1.3%.

First Broadcast

JANUARY 1, 1975

Fully stereo since 1986 

RADIO-4

Aim 

The aim of radio is to have audiences appreciate Turkish Folk and Turkish Classical Music; to raise the level of musical tastes and culture; to maintain the interest of audiences; to introduce to the young generation different types of Turkish Music and present singers and musicians, composers, songwriters, arrangers and the lyricists of Turkish folk and classical music. It also aims to reinforce the unity of language and culture by the presentation of Turkish Music, and to introduce the activities of musical institutions, organizations and groups. 

Broadcasts

Radio-4 broadcasts 24 hours a day from Radio Ankara stations. 

Transmitters

Radio-4 broadcasts on 1200 kW MW to İstanbul- Çatalca, on 600 kW MW to Malatya, on 600 kW MW to Denizli via transmitters as well as 20 FM transmitters.

Co­ve­ra­ge 

FM Population Coverage is 75 %             FM Area Coverage is 50 %

AM Population Coverage is 35 %

Ankara, İstanbul and İzmir broadcasts are on the air 24 hours a day, while the Antalya, Çukurova, Erzurum, Trabzon, and GAP-Diyarbakır regions have broadcasts  on the air between 18.00-07.00 during their shared broadcasts. 

Rating

No rating is available as of yet.

First Broadcasts

Test Broadcasting: December 6, 1999- January 3, 2000

Official Broadcasting: January 3, 2000 

REGIONAL RADIO STATIONS 

ANKARA RADIO, ISTANBUL RADIO, İZMİR RADIO, ÇUKUROVA RADIO, ANTALYA RADIO, ERZURUM RADIO, TRABZON RADIO, GAP-DİYARBAKIR RADIO, HATAY PROVINCIAL RADIO (TRT HATAY FM) 

ANKARA RADIO

Aim 

The target of Ankara Radio is to produce and broadcast radio programs in accordance with the socio-economic and cultural characteristics, and requirements of the coverage area. 

Broadcasting

Ankara Radio offers 24 hours of broadcasts everyday (between 06:00-13:15 and 14.00-06.00 shared with Radio-1. The remaining 45 minutes of the broadcast is regional). 

Transmitters

 

Ankara Radio broadcasts are transmitted via 1200 kW LW Ankara- Polatlı, 1000 kW MW Ağrı and Radio-1 FM transmitters.