RTS 3

RTS 3 is the third television channel of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), the national public broadcaster of Serbia. Launched on 26 November 2008 as RTS Digital, the channel was created to coincide with the introduction of digital terrestrial television in Serbia. It was renamed RTS 3 on 8 June 2015, when it also adopted its current corporate identity. The channel is headquartered in Belgrade and operates as part of the RTS public service, which also includes RTS 1, RTS 2, RTS Svet, RTS Nauka, RTS Drama, RTS Život, RTS Klasika, RTS Kolo, RTS Trezor, RTS Muzika, RTS Poletarac, and RTS Predstavlja, as well as several radio stations. RTS 3 is a non-commercial cultural channel. Its programming is dominated by music, performing arts, and documentaries. According to its own programming data, music content represents between 65% and 70% of its annual schedule, amounting to about 4,200 hours of music programming per year, including 3,000 hours of concerts across all genres, 660 hours of music documentaries, 300 hours of opera, and 240 hours of ballet. The channel also broadcasts roughly 1,560 hours of documentary programming annually, including about 660 hours of documentary series and 450 hours of individual educational, travel, and ethnological programs. Cultural programming in the arts accounts for 450 hours. Its film programming includes approximately 400 hours of selected Russian and European films, director retrospectives, and series from France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and China. An additional 250 hours are reserved for drama and series under the RTS 3 banner. More than 50% of the content broadcast is domestically produced. The channel broadcasts 24 hours a day, with eight hours of premieres (from 16:00 to 00:00) and two repeat blocks (from 00:00 to 08:00 and from 08:00 to 16:00). As a non-commercial service, it does not include advertising blocks in its schedule. Since 21 March 2012, the channel has been broadcast via DVB-T2 digital terrestrial television. RTS 3 is available through the RTS website and mobile applications, as well as through cable and satellite providers in Serbia. Its programming is part of the RTS public service mission, which is defined by the Law on Public Media Services and funded primarily through subscription fees and state budget allocations.

RTS 3 began broadcasting on 26 November 2008 under the name RTS Digital, launched to coincide with the introduction of digital terrestrial television in Serbia. The channel was part of Radio Television of Serbia's (RTS) strategy to expand its public service offerings into the digital era. Initially, RTS Digital served as a testing ground for digital broadcasting and offered a mix of cultural and informational content. On 21 March 2012, the channel began broadcasting via DVB-T2, the second generation of digital terrestrial television standards, improving signal quality and coverage across Serbia. This transition was part of a broader national switchover from analogue to digital television. On 8 June 2015, the channel was renamed RTS 3 and adopted its current visual identity. The rebranding aligned the channel with RTS's other numbered channels (RTS 1 and RTS 2) and signaled a clearer focus on cultural programming. Since then, RTS 3 has positioned itself as the public broadcaster's dedicated culture and arts channel, with a strong emphasis on music, performing arts, and documentaries. The channel operates 24 hours a day, with a schedule structured around eight hours of premieres (16:00–00:00) and two repeat blocks (00:00–08:00 and 08:00–16:00). As a non-commercial service, it does not carry advertising. Its programming is heavily music-oriented, with 65–70% of annual airtime dedicated to music, including concerts, documentaries, opera, and ballet. It also broadcasts a significant amount of documentary, cultural, and film content, with more than half of its output being domestically produced. RTS 3 is available via digital terrestrial television, cable, satellite, and online through the RTS website and mobile apps.

• Channel launched as RTS Digital, coinciding with the introduction of digital terrestrial television in Serbia.

• Channel began broadcasting via DVB-T2 digital terrestrial television.

• Channel renamed RTS 3 and adopted its current corporate identity.

Non-commercial public cultural channel focused on music, performing arts, and documentaries.

• Music programming

  65–70% of annual schedule; 4,200 hours per year including 3,000 hours of concerts, 660 hours of music documentaries, 300 hours of opera, and 240 hours of ballet.

• Documentary programming

  About 1,560 hours annually, including 660 hours of documentary series and 450 hours of individual educational, travel, and ethnological programs.

• Cultural arts programming

  450 hours dedicated to cultural content in the arts.

• Film programming

  Approximately 400 hours annually of selected Russian and European films, director retrospectives, and series from France, Russia, the UK, and China.

• Drama and series

  250 hours reserved for drama and series under the RTS 3 banner.

1. 1РТС :: Насловнаrts.rs
2. 2RTS 3 (Serbia) - Wikipediaes.wikipedia.org
3. 3RTS 3 - Wikidatawikidata.org