LRT Plius
LRT Plius is a Lithuanian public television channel operated by LRT, focused on culture, cinema, sport, documentaries, and related programming.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
LRT Plius is a Lithuanian television channel within the LRT public-service broadcasting group. It began broadcasting on 16 February 2003 under the name LTV2, at a time when its terrestrial availability was initially concentrated in Vilnius and Kaunas. The channel was conceived as a second television service of Lithuanian Television and was also described by its longer Lithuanian designation, Lietuvos Televizijos: Antrasis Kanalas. In its early period, distribution in Vilnius was associated with UHF channel 31. Cable availability was initially uneven because the relevant licence was held by the Vilnius Television Technical Center, meaning that some cable subscribers in Vilnius did not receive the service during the channel's first months. The channel expanded beyond its initial urban footprint in 2005, when it began broadcasting throughout Lithuania. Between 2003 and 2007, the Kaunas-based organisation Kauno radijas ir televizija produced television programmes about Kaunas for the service, adding a local-content dimension to its early schedule. Analogue terrestrial transmission was discontinued on 1 December 2009 as Lithuania moved away from analogue terrestrial television. This change formed part of the channel's broader transition toward the country's digital broadcasting environment. The service underwent a major identity change in 2012. Until 27 July 2012 it was known as LTV2; on that date it was renamed LRT Kultūra, aligning the channel more explicitly with cultural programming and with the LRT brand architecture. The LRT Kultūra identity was used for several years while the channel continued to operate as a complementary television service within the public broadcaster's portfolio. Its positioning was reflected in the slogan "Tavo kultūros kanalas," or "Your culture channel," used from 2003 to 2012, and later in the line "Čia Lietuva. Čia LRT Kultūra," used from 2017 to 2018. LRT Plius introduced high-definition broadcasting on 1 September 2017. On 1 October 2018, the channel was renamed LRT Plius. The new name broadened the service's expressed remit beyond culture alone. Its 2018–2019 slogan, "Kultūra, kinas, sportas, dokumentika," presented the channel around four central areas: culture, film, sport, and documentary programming. The channel remains an LRT service and is available through LRT's live-streaming and media-platform infrastructure. It operates primarily for audiences in Lithuania rather than as a commercial, independently owned television network. Publicly available reference material identifies its ownership and operating relationship with LRT but does not provide a separate corporate balance sheet, standalone financial results, or a distinct executive roster for the channel.
History
LRT Plius was established as a second Lithuanian television service on 16 February 2003. It launched under the name LTV2, also associated with the descriptive title Lietuvos Televizijos: Antrasis Kanalas. The service was initially available in Vilnius and Kaunas. In Vilnius, its early terrestrial transmission used UHF channel 31. Cable distribution was not immediately universal because the licence was held by the Vilnius Television Technical Center, and some cable subscribers in the capital did not receive the channel during its first months. In 2005, the service expanded to nationwide broadcasting. Its early schedule also included programmes about Kaunas produced between 2003 and 2007 by Kauno radijas ir televizija. The channel subsequently participated in Lithuania's transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television. Analogue terrestrial broadcasting ended on 1 December 2009. The first major naming change occurred on 27 July 2012, when LTV2 became LRT Kultūra. The new identity more directly communicated the channel's cultural orientation. The earlier slogan, used from 2003 to 2012, was "Tavo kultūros kanalas". From 2017 to 2018, the service used the slogan "Čia Lietuva. Čia LRT Kultūra," linking the channel's identity to Lithuania and the LRT public-broadcasting brand. LRT Kultūra began HD broadcasting on 1 September 2017. On 1 October 2018, it was renamed LRT Plius. The LRT Plius identity widened the channel's public description beyond culture alone, with the 2018–2019 slogan "Kultūra, kinas, sportas, dokumentika" identifying culture, cinema, sport, and documentaries as key programming areas. The channel continues to operate as part of LRT and is distributed through the broadcaster's television and digital media infrastructure. Available reference material does not identify a separate legal owner, independent listed-company structure, standalone financial reporting, or channel-specific executive team.
- 2018
LRT Plius identity introduced
[1]LRT Kultūra is renamed LRT Plius on 1 October.
- 2017
HD broadcasting starts
[1]The channel begins high-definition broadcasts on 1 September.
- 2012
Renamed LRT Kultūra
[1]The former LTV2 service adopts the LRT Kultūra identity on 27 July.
- 2009
Analogue terrestrial transmission ends
[1]Analogue terrestrial broadcasting is discontinued on 1 December.
- 2005
Nationwide broadcasting begins
[1]The channel expands its terrestrial reach to all of Lithuania.
- 2003
LTV2 launches
[1]The channel begins broadcasting on 16 February under the LTV2 name, initially serving Vilnius and Kaunas.
Products and positioning
A Lithuanian public-service television channel positioned around culture, film, sport, and documentaries, complementing LRT's broader television offering.
Television broadcasting · 2003
LRT Plius television channel
The core LRT Plius service is a Lithuanian public-service television channel operated by LRT. Its stated programming emphasis covers culture, cinema, sport, and documentaries. The channel developed from the earlier LTV2 and LRT Kultūra services and is intended to complement the other television services within the LRT portfolio.
Digital video distribution
LRT Plius live stream and media-platform service
LRT provides an online access point for live viewing of LRT Plius through its website and media platform. This digital distribution extends the channel beyond conventional broadcast reception and forms part of LRT's broader online television and media offering.
Brand decisions
2018
Rebranding from LRT Kultūra to LRT PliusStrategyBackground
The channel's role extended beyond a narrowly cultural label, with programming described across culture, cinema, sport, and documentaries.
Action taken
The channel was renamed LRT Plius on 1 October 2018.
Aftermath
LRT Plius became the continuing identity for the service and remains available through LRT's broadcast and digital platforms.
2017
HD broadcasting rolloutProduct launchBackground
The channel updated its technical presentation during Lithuania's digital broadcasting era.
Action taken
High-definition broadcasts began on 1 September 2017.
Aftermath
The channel subsequently underwent another identity change in 2018.
2012
Rebranding from LTV2 to LRT KultūraStrategyBackground
The second LRT television service had operated as LTV2 since its 2003 launch. The channel adopted a name that more explicitly communicated its cultural orientation.
Action taken
The service was renamed LRT Kultūra on 27 July 2012.
Aftermath
The LRT Kultūra identity remained in use until the channel was renamed LRT Plius in 2018.
Recent events
- 2018
LRT Kultūra is renamed LRT Plius[1]
Product generation
On 1 October 2018, the channel adopted the LRT Plius identity and presented itself around culture, cinema, sport, and documentaries.
- 2017
LRT Kultūra begins HD broadcasting[1]
Product launch
High-definition broadcasts began on 1 September 2017.
- 2012
LTV2 is renamed LRT Kultūra[1]
Product generation
On 27 July 2012, the channel adopted the LRT Kultūra name, giving greater emphasis to its cultural-service role.
- 2009
Analogue terrestrial broadcasting ends[1]
Other
Analogue terrestrial transmission for the channel was discontinued on 1 December 2009.
- 2005
LTV2 expands terrestrial coverage across Lithuania[1]
Other
The service began broadcasting throughout Lithuania after an initial period focused on Vilnius and Kaunas.
- 2003
LTV2 television channel launches[1]
Product launch
The channel began broadcasting on 16 February 2003 as LTV2, initially reaching viewers in Vilnius and Kaunas.
Sources2 sources
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