RÚV
Iceland's principal free-to-air public-service television channel.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
RÚV is Iceland's principal public-service television channel and the flagship television service of Ríkisútvarpið, the country's national public broadcaster. The channel began broadcasting on 30 September 1966 under the name Sjónvarpið, becoming Iceland's first public television service and the first channel to broadcast primarily in Icelandic. It was established after the Icelandic government examined the need for a domestic television service in response to the reach and cultural influence of the English-language station operated from the American military base at Keflavík. From the beginning, RÚV was designed as a national service rather than a narrowly commercial station. Its remit combined news, education, culture, sport, entertainment, children's programming and Icelandic production. Early plans emphasized locally produced material, although the small population and limited domestic production infrastructure required the channel to import equipment and acquire substantial programming from the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries. Its initial schedule was deliberately restricted: broadcasts started only a few evenings each week, with no Thursday programming and a lengthy summer interruption. These limitations reflected the cost of operating a national television network in a sparsely populated country, as well as contemporary assumptions about household routines and television viewing. The channel expanded gradually through a network of transmitters and repeaters, improving coverage beyond Reykjavík and the southwest. Colour broadcasting was introduced progressively during the 1970s, while international news and live events became more practical after Iceland was connected to satellite communications. RÚV carried its first regular colour news bulletin in 1977 and began receiving daily international reports by satellite in the early 1980s. Live European broadcasts, including the Eurovision Song Contest, followed during the 1980s. The service also expanded its schedule, eventually moving toward continuous daily broadcasting and ending the long-standing practice of a television-free Thursday in 1987, after commercial competition had begun with the arrival of Stöð 2. RÚV's programming identity rests on a mixture of trusted public information and distinctive national entertainment. Fréttir is the main evening news bulletin, supported by current-affairs programs such as Kastljós and Kveikur. The channel has developed or carried highly recognizable Icelandic formats including the school quiz Gettu betur, the rural-life series Landinn, the New Year's comedy special Áramótaskaupið, the children's institution Stundin Okkar and the Eurovision selection competition Söngvakeppnin. It has also become an important outlet for Icelandic drama, with international attention generated by Ófærð (Trapped), Verbúðin (Blackport), Ráðherrann and other productions. Acquired and dubbed children's and family programming complements the domestic slate. The channel is also a major national rights-holder. Through RÚV's membership in the European Broadcasting Union, it participates in Eurovision and selects Iceland's entries for the Eurovision Song Contest. It has generally served as Iceland's Olympic broadcaster and has frequently carried FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship coverage, subject to the relevant rights cycles. These events reinforce its role as a shared national platform. Distribution has changed substantially. The service moved from analogue PAL terrestrial transmission to digital broadcasting, with analogue transmission ending in 2015. High-definition transmission was introduced through DVB-T2 infrastructure, while standard-definition DVB-T service was later retired. RÚV is also distributed through Icelandic managed IPTV networks and provides web, over-the-top and application-based access. Terrestrial coverage remains free to air and is designed to reach nearly the entire population, while internet delivery has become especially important because of Iceland's extensive fibre connectivity. Some online programs remain geographically restricted because of third-party rights, although authenticated access can extend availability abroad. As an operating brand, RÚV combines the authority and obligations of a publicly owned national broadcaster with a broad general-interest television proposition. Its differentiation comes from Icelandic-language news, national ceremonies and debates, original drama and comedy, cultural coverage, children's services and the ability to assemble audiences around major sporting and Eurovision events. The channel remains active within the RÚV public-service group, alongside the Rás 1 and Rás 2 radio services and the broadcaster's digital platforms.
History
RÚV's television service emerged from Iceland's effort to establish a domestically controlled national television network. Before its launch, the American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service at Keflavík transmitted English-language television from the U.S. naval base. The station's reach around Reykjavík and concern about its cultural influence encouraged Icelandic authorities to study a state-funded alternative. A television committee reported in 1964 that Iceland lacked suitable studio facilities and would need to import equipment. The proposed network was financed through a combination of television licences, advertising and a levy associated with television sets, reflecting the practical difficulty of funding a national service in a small population. The first transmission took place on 30 September 1966 at 20:00 local time. The service initially broadcast on Wednesdays and Fridays, expanded to six days per week by September 1967, and did not begin regular Thursday broadcasting until 1987. July interruptions continued for many years, partly because maintenance and staff leave were difficult to manage with a small technical workforce. Transmitter and repeater construction progressively extended service from Reykjavík to locations including Vestmannaeyjar, Stykkishólmur, Skálafell, Hoffell, Vaðlaheiði and Hegranes. This expansion helped turn a Reykjavík-centered experiment into a national television network. Colour television was tested during the early 1970s, adopted for regular service during the middle of that decade and incorporated into news broadcasting by 1977. Satellite connectivity transformed the channel's international capacity. RÚV joined the Intelsat network in 1981, began carrying daily foreign reports in 1982 and transmitted live European events, including Eurovision, during the 1980s. The channel's schedule and editorial range also broadened. By the time commercial competitor Stöð 2 entered the market in 1986, RÚV had become an established national institution; the end of Thursday closures in 1987 symbolized the move toward a full weekly television service. RÚV continued to modernize its information and distribution systems. Textavarpið, its teletext service, was introduced in 1991. The television service became available through broadband and fibre IPTV networks in 2004, and satellite distribution was introduced in 2007 for remote regions and Icelandic fishing fleets, alongside Rás 1 and Rás 2. Preparations for high-definition production began in 2012. A 2013 arrangement with Vodafone Iceland supported new digital multiplex capacity using DVB-T and DVB-T2, enabling the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting. Analogue transmission ended in February 2015. Standard-definition DVB-T was subsequently withdrawn in June 2024, while HD DVB-T2 continued. The contemporary channel is distributed through terrestrial HD, managed IPTV, web and streaming services, and applications for connected television and mobile ecosystems. Its programming has retained a strong public-service core while becoming more internationally visible through drama series such as Ófærð and Verbúðin. RÚV remains the national broadcaster's principal television outlet, responsible for daily journalism, public information, cultural representation, domestic entertainment and shared national viewing occasions such as Eurovision and major sports tournaments.
- 2024
Standard-definition DVB-T ends
[1]The remaining standard-definition terrestrial service was discontinued, leaving HD DVB-T2 transmission.
- 2015
Analogue switch-off
[1]Analogue terrestrial television transmission ended.
- 2004
IPTV distribution begins
[1]The channel became available through broadband and fibre IPTV systems operated by Icelandic telecommunications providers.
- 1991
Textavarpið introduced
[1]RÚV launched its teletext information service.
- 1987
Full weekly schedule
[1]Thursday programming was introduced, ending the channel's recurring television-free Thursday.
- 1982
Daily international satellite reports begin
[1]Satellite connectivity enabled regular foreign news reports during the evening news service.
- 1977
First colour news bulletin
[1]The first colour news bulletin was broadcast on the channel's eleventh anniversary.
- 1966
First transmission
[1]RÚV's television service began on 30 September, initially broadcasting on a limited weekly schedule.
- 1964
Television service planning completed
[1]An Icelandic television committee concluded that a national service would require purpose-built facilities, imported equipment and a mixed public and commercial funding model.
Products and positioning
National public-service television combining Icelandic-language journalism, domestic production, culture, entertainment, children's content and major shared sporting and Eurovision events.
Public-service television · 1966
RÚV television channel
The flagship free-to-air television service of Iceland's national broadcaster. It carries daily news, current affairs, sport, entertainment, culture, children's programming and Icelandic original productions, supplemented by acquired American, British and Nordic content. The service is distributed through HD terrestrial transmission, IPTV, web streaming and connected-device applications.
Digital video · 2004
RÚV online and streaming service
RÚV's web and application-based distribution provides live television, catch-up viewing and on-demand access. Availability can vary by territory because of program rights, while authenticated users may receive broader international access. The service supports web delivery and applications for platforms including Apple TV, iOS and Android-based devices.
Teletext and information service · 1991
Textavarpið
RÚV's teletext service provides text-based news and information through digital television systems and online access. It was introduced in 1991 and remains available through DVB-T2, managed IPTV and the web.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Digital terrestrial transition
Iceland
RÚV completed the migration from analogue PAL transmission to digital terrestrial television.
Outcome. Analogue broadcasting ended and HD-oriented digital distribution became the long-term platform.
- 1966National television launch
Iceland
RÚV introduced Iceland's first public television service, prioritizing Icelandic-language broadcasting and national coverage.
Outcome. Established the channel as the country's principal public television institution.
Brand decisions
2024
Retire standard-definition DVB-TGeneration changeBackground
The broadcaster continued simplifying its terrestrial platform after the analogue transition and the expansion of HD delivery.
Action taken
Standard-definition DVB-T transmission ceased on 3 June 2024, while DVB-T2 HD remained available.
Aftermath
Terrestrial viewers require HD-capable DVB-T2 reception for the remaining over-the-air service.
2015
End analogue terrestrial televisionGeneration changeBackground
Digital terrestrial infrastructure had been developed to replace the channel's long-running analogue PAL network.
Action taken
RÚV shut down analogue terrestrial transmissions on 2 February 2015.
Aftermath
Viewers moved to digital terrestrial, IPTV or internet-based reception.
2013
Adopt shared DVB-T and DVB-T2 multiplex infrastructureStrategyBackground
RÚV needed to replace analogue terrestrial distribution and create capacity for digital and high-definition services.
Action taken
An agreement with Vodafone Iceland supported the installation and operation of new digital multiplexes using DVB-T and DVB-T2.
Aftermath
The arrangement supported the subsequent analogue switch-off and the continued development of HD terrestrial broadcasting.
Sources2 sources
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