EITB

EITB, formally Euskal Irrati Telebista, is the public broadcasting corporation of the Basque Autonomous Community in Spain. It operates a group of television channels, radio stations and digital services aimed primarily at audiences in the Basque Country, with programming in both Basque and Spanish. Its main television identity is Euskal Telebista, commonly known as ETB. The organization was created through legislation unanimously approved by the Basque Parliament on 20 May 1982. Its establishment gave the autonomous community a public media institution at a time when Basque-language broadcasting was being rebuilt after decades in which the language had limited access to mass media. Euskadi Irratia began radio transmissions on 23 November 1982, while ETB reached Basque households at the end of that year and regularized its programming in February 1983. The first television service initially concentrated on Basque-language programming and was produced from the EITB center in Iurreta. EITB expanded its linguistic and editorial reach with the launch of ETB 2 on 31 May 1986. The second flagship channel broadcasts primarily in Spanish, allowing the corporation to serve the full population of the Basque Autonomous Community while maintaining a distinct Basque-language service. Later digital-terrestrial expansion added ETB 3, a Basque-language channel directed at children and younger audiences, in 2008, and ETB 4, a bilingual entertainment and sports-oriented service, in 2014. The group’s radio portfolio includes Euskadi Irratia, a Basque-language news and talk station; Radio Euskadi, a Spanish-language news and talk service; Radio Vitoria, serving Vitoria-Gasteiz and its surrounding audience; Gaztea, a Basque-language youth music station; and EITB Musika, focused on music and cultural programming. Together, these services make EITB one of the principal media institutions in the Basque Autonomous Community and an important producer of local news, sport, entertainment, cultural programming and language content. EITB has also pursued audiences beyond the autonomous community. Its terrestrial signals can be received in parts of neighboring Spanish regions, including areas of Cantabria, Castile and León, Aragón and La Rioja, as well as in parts of the French department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques. International distribution developed through ETB Sat in Europe and Canal Vasco in the Americas. These services were later combined into ETB Basque in 2021, creating a consolidated international outlet with programming in Basque and Spanish. The organization’s public-service role has made it central to debates about language policy, political representation, editorial independence and the treatment of controversial subjects. A 2017 episode of the ETB 1 program Euskalduna naiz, eta zu? prompted criticism from political parties and the victims’ association Covite, and EITB subsequently apologized. In 2022, former Betizu performer Zuriñe Hidalgo also publicly criticized aspects of her treatment as a child participant in the program. Despite such controversies, EITB remains an active regional public broadcaster whose distinctive role is to provide media services reflecting Basque linguistic and cultural life.

EITB emerged from the development of Basque public media during Spain's democratic transition and the restoration of autonomous institutions. Before the corporation existed, the Basque underground had operated Radio Euskadi as an independent voice, transmitting on shortwave from locations on two continents. The creation of a legal public broadcaster within the Basque Autonomous Community provided a permanent institutional basis for radio and television in Basque, alongside services in Spanish. The Basque Parliament unanimously approved the law establishing Euskal Irrati Telebista on 20 May 1982. Euskadi Irratia became the first operating service, beginning transmissions on 23 November of that year. Television followed at midnight on 31 December 1982, when ETB was introduced to Basque households by the Basque Lehendakari Carlos Garaikoetxea. Regular programming was established in February 1983. In its initial phase, the television service broadcast exclusively in Basque and operated with a relatively small production team based in Iurreta. EITB broadened its audience in 1986 with ETB 2, a general-interest Spanish-language channel launched on 31 May. The two flagship television services allowed the corporation to combine Basque-language cultural and linguistic responsibilities with broad public service for Spanish-speaking residents. Over time, EITB added further television, radio and digital outlets, becoming a major media group in the autonomous community. The corporation's radio portfolio developed around distinct language, geographic and audience roles. Euskadi Irratia provides Basque-language news and talk programming, while Radio Euskadi serves Spanish-language listeners. Radio Vitoria focuses on the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz and its local area. The group also operates Gaztea, a Basque-language youth music station, and EITB Musika, which combines music and cultural programming in Basque and Spanish. EITB has been described as reaching more than one million people daily, with local news and entertainment forming a large part of its output. The transition to digital terrestrial television enabled further expansion. ETB 3 began broadcasting in October 2008 with children’s and youth programming in Basque. ETB 4, initially considered for a bilingual news role but later shaped around entertainment and sport, launched officially on 29 October 2014. EITB also maintained international ambitions. ETB Sat became available by satellite across Europe after an agreement with Sogecable, while Canal Vasco was developed for audiences in the Americas through direct-to-home and cable distribution. These international services were consolidated as ETB Basque in early 2021. EITB's history has included operational incidents and public controversies. On 19 February 1985, Iberia Flight 610 crashed into an EITB antenna while approaching Bilbao Airport; all 148 people aboard the aircraft died. The incident was an aviation disaster involving EITB infrastructure rather than a corporate product or programming controversy. The organization has also faced recurring criticism over editorial content and audiovisual productions. In 2017, an episode of Euskalduna naiz, eta zu? on ETB 1 drew condemnation from political parties and Covite, with the issue reaching Spain's Senate and prompting an apology from EITB. In 2022, former Betizu performer Zuriñe Hidalgo discussed what she regarded as discriminatory treatment and difficult working conditions during her childhood participation in the program. As a publicly funded regional broadcaster, EITB remains closely connected to Basque cultural policy and language promotion. Its role encompasses television, radio and online content for audiences inside the Basque Country, neighboring territories and international viewers interested in Basque-language and Basque-related programming.

1. 2021International services are consolidated as ETB Basque

   ETB Sat and Canal Vasco were combined into ETB Basque for international audiences.

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2. 2014ETB 4 launches

   ETB 4 officially began broadcasting on 29 October 2014 as a bilingual entertainment and sports-oriented channel.

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3. 2008ETB 3 launches

   EITB launched ETB 3 as a Basque-language digital channel for children and young audiences.

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4. 2001ETB Sat expands European distribution

   Following an agreement with Sogecable, ETB Sat became available through Astra satellite distribution across Europe.

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5. 1986ETB 2 launches

   The Spanish-language ETB 2 channel began operations on 31 May 1986.

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6. 1982EITB is established by Basque legislation

   The Basque Parliament unanimously approved the law creating Euskal Irrati Telebista on 20 May 1982.

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7. 1982Euskadi Irratia begins radio broadcasting

   Euskadi Irratia started broadcasting on 23 November 1982, becoming EITB's first operating service.

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8. 1982ETB begins television transmission

   ETB reached Basque households at midnight on 31 December 1982; regular programming followed in February 1983.

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Basque public-service media institution combining Basque- and Spanish-language television, radio and digital programming.

• ETB 1Television channel1982

  EITB's principal Basque-language general-interest television channel. It carries news, entertainment, cultural programming and other content intended to support Basque-language media use across the broadcaster's domestic audience.

• ETB 2Television channel1986

  A Spanish-language generalist television service launched in 1986. ETB 2 broadens EITB's public-service reach among Spanish-speaking viewers and provides news, entertainment, sport and regional programming.

• ETB 3Television channel2008

  A Basque-language digital television channel focused on children and youth. Its creation formed part of EITB's expansion after digital terrestrial television became available.

• ETB 4Television channel2014

  A bilingual channel whose planned role evolved from an initially proposed news service into a channel centered on entertainment and sport. It officially launched in 2014.

• ETB BasqueInternational television service2021

  EITB's international television service, offering Basque- and Spanish-language content to viewers outside the domestic terrestrial coverage area. It inherited the international roles previously associated with ETB Sat and Canal Vasco.

• Euskadi IrratiaRadio station1982

  A Basque-language news and talk radio service and the first EITB outlet to begin broadcasting. It provides current affairs, discussion and other public-service radio programming.

• Radio EuskadiRadio station

  EITB's Spanish-language news and talk radio station, serving listeners across the Basque Country with information and current-affairs programming.

• Radio VitoriaRadio station

  A Spanish-language radio service aimed particularly at Vitoria-Gasteiz and the surrounding area, providing local news, talk and general programming.

• GazteaRadio station

  A Basque-language music station directed at younger listeners. It forms part of EITB's effort to provide contemporary youth-oriented content in Basque.

• EITB MusikaRadio station

  A cultural and music-focused radio service with programming in Basque and Spanish.

• BetizuChildren's television program2001

  A former ETB 1 youth program that ran from 2001 to 2011 and became known for its child and adolescent presenters, performers and singers. Former participants later discussed their experiences on the program.

• 2021Consolidate international television servicesStrategy

  EITB had operated separate international services for Europe and the Americas through ETB Sat and Canal Vasco.

  What changed. The two services were combined into ETB Basque, carrying Basque- and Spanish-language programming internationally.

  Aftermath. The consolidation created a single international brand for EITB's overseas television distribution.

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• 2015Increase the public broadcasting budgetStrategy

  The Basque Autonomous Community increased its annual budget allocation for EITB in 2015.

  What changed. The reported budget rose from 107.6 million euros in the previous year to 124.6 million euros in 2015.

  Aftermath. The increase represented additional public funding for EITB's broadcasting operations.

  Annual budget. €107.6 million → €124.6 million (2014 to 2015)

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• 2014Launch ETB 4 as a bilingual entertainment and sports serviceProduct launch

  ETB 4 had initially been considered as a bilingual news channel, but its intended role was later redefined.

  What changed. EITB officially launched ETB 4 on 29 October 2014 with a bilingual entertainment and sports orientation.

  Aftermath. ETB 4 became another domestic television outlet within the EITB group.

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• 2008Expand into digital terrestrial televisionProduct launch

  The introduction of digital terrestrial television enabled the Basque government to authorize additional EITB channels.

  What changed. EITB launched ETB 3 in October 2008 as a Basque-language service for children and young audiences.

  Aftermath. The new channel extended EITB's television portfolio beyond its two principal general-interest services.

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• 2022Former Betizu performer raises concerns about child-star treatmentControversy

  Zuriñe Hidalgo, who joined Betizu at age 11, said as an adult that working on the program had been difficult and alleged discriminatory treatment involving clothing and the way participants were treated. Her comments revived scrutiny of the former youth production.

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• 2017Euskalduna naiz, eta zu? controversyControversy

  An episode of the ETB 1 program Euskalduna naiz, eta zu? provoked criticism over statements made during the broadcast. The Unión del Pueblo Navarro, the People's Party, Covite and the PSE-EE called for accountability, and the dispute reached Spain's Senate. EITB ultimately apologized.

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• 2014ETB 4 officially launches

  ETB 4 officially began broadcasting as a bilingual service with an entertainment and sports orientation.

  Product launch
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• 2008ETB 3 launches as a digital youth channel

  Digital terrestrial television expansion enabled the launch of ETB 3, a Basque-language channel focused on children and young audiences.

  Product launch
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• 1986ETB 2 launches in Spanish

  EITB expanded its television portfolio with ETB 2, a Spanish-language general-interest channel.

  Product launch
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• 1982Euskadi Irratia begins broadcasting

  The newly established EITB group began its radio operations when Euskadi Irratia started broadcasting on 23 November 1982.

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• 1982ETB television service reaches Basque households

  ETB made its first television transmission at midnight on 31 December 1982, followed by regular programming in February 1983.

  Product launch
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1. EITB