TV 2 Direkte
TV 2 Direkte is a Norwegian commercial general-entertainment and terrestrial television channel operated by TV 2.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
TV 2 Direkte is the principal Norwegian television channel of TV 2, a commercial broadcaster headquartered in Bergen. The channel serves as a broad-based alternative to Norway’s public broadcaster NRK, combining national news, sport, live events, factual programming, entertainment, drama, imported series and films. It broadcasts primarily in Norwegian, while foreign-language programming and much of the foreign-language dialogue in locally produced programmes are generally subtitled rather than dubbed, except notably in children’s content. The channel emerged from a major change in Norwegian broadcasting policy. In 1990, the Storting opened the way for an advertising-financed commercial alternative to NRK. A licence process followed in 1991, with ownership restrictions intended to prevent any one shareholder from controlling more than 20 percent of the channel. TV 2 AS won the licence as a consortium involving Schibsted, Vital Forsikring, Gutenberghus, NTN, Selvaag, Bergens Tidende and Sissel Ditlevsen. Test transmissions began on 13 November 1991, and the service officially launched on 5 September 1992. The opening programme, For første gang, was presented by Dan Børge Akerø and simulcast with NRK. It attracted approximately 1.7 million viewers. Regular programming began the following day with an Eliteserien football match between Viking and Rosenborg, an Oslo Gospel Choir concert, news, a documentary and acquired entertainment series. During its first week, TV 2 introduced original programmes including VTV, Askeladden and Holmgang, alongside international titles such as Cheers, The Naked Gun and A Country Practice. In 1992, TV 2 A/S became a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union. TV 2 Direkte has historically functioned as a mass-market channel built around appointment viewing. Its schedule has included TV 2 Nyhetene, the breakfast programme God morgen Norge, major football coverage, reality and competition formats, comedy, documentaries, drama and family entertainment. Recognised original or established programmes associated with the channel include Farmen, Hver gang vi møtes, Kompani Lauritzen, The Voice (Norway), Norge bak fasaden and Dyrepasserne. Several former flagship programmes, including Hotel Cæsar, Holmgang, Idol and Senkveld med Thomas og Harald, have since ended or moved elsewhere. The channel introduced high-definition broadcasting on 25 June 2009, initially through the RiksTV terrestrial platform. Allsang på grensen was the first programme broadcast in HD, followed during 2009 by selected sports, films and entertainment programmes. The HD service uses the 720p50 format. TV 2 was free-to-air on terrestrial television from its launch until 1 January 2010; it then became a subscription channel on terrestrial distribution, while cable and satellite access had generally already been part of pay-TV packages. Since 2012, TV 2 has been owned by the Danish media company Egmont Group, one of the channel’s original co-founders. In 2023, the linear channel was renamed TV 2 Direkte. The change was intended to distinguish the traditional broadcast service from TV 2 Play, the group’s streaming product. TV 2 Direkte remains available through RiksTV, cable, satellite and IPTV services across Norway, with selected distribution also available through pay-TV platforms in neighbouring Sweden and Denmark.
History
TV 2 Direkte traces its origins to Norway’s early-1990s liberalisation of television broadcasting. In 1990, the Storting authorised the creation of an advertising-funded commercial broadcaster intended to provide an alternative to NRK. The licence was announced on 31 January 1991 and included an ownership rule under which no single owner could hold more than 20 percent of the channel. Several groups considered applying, but the licence went to TV 2 AS, a consortium that included Schibsted, Vital Forsikring, Gutenberghus, NTN, Selvaag, Bergens Tidende and Sissel Ditlevsen. TV 2 conducted test broadcasts from 13 November 1991. Its official launch took place on 5 September 1992 with For første gang, presented by Dan Børge Akerø and simulcast with NRK. The programme reportedly drew 1.7 million viewers. The regular schedule began the next day with Norwegian football, music, news, documentary content and acquired programmes. The first week also introduced several TV 2-produced shows, including VTV, Askeladden and Holmgang. In the same year, TV 2 A/S became a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union. During its development, TV 2 built a generalist schedule designed to combine broad audience appeal with a distinct Norwegian identity. News and sport were central elements, while entertainment, drama, reality, documentaries and imported series filled the wider schedule. Programmes associated with the service have included TV 2 Nyhetene, God morgen Norge, Farmen, Hver gang vi møtes, Kompani Lauritzen, The Voice (Norway), Norge bak fasaden and Dyrepasserne. Earlier programmes such as Hotel Cæsar, Holmgang, Idol, Senkveld med Thomas og Harald and TV2 hjelper deg were later discontinued, while Norske Talenter moved to TVNorge in 2023. The channel’s distribution model changed over time. It was free-to-air through terrestrial television at launch, but terrestrial viewers required a paid RiksTV subscription from 1 January 2010. Cable and satellite carriage had generally been subscription-based from the beginning. TV 2 expanded its technical offering on 25 June 2009 by starting HD broadcasts, initially on RiksTV. Allsang på grensen was the first HD programme, followed by selected sports, films, entertainment and imported series. The HD service is transmitted in 720p50. Ownership also evolved. Since 2012, TV 2 has been owned by Egmont, the Danish media group that was among the broadcaster’s original co-founders. The channel operates within the wider TV 2 ecosystem, which also includes the TV 2 Play streaming service. To make the distinction between linear broadcasting and streaming clearer, the traditional channel was renamed TV 2 Direkte in 2023. It continues to be distributed through terrestrial, cable, satellite and IPTV services in Norway, with selected pay-TV availability in Sweden and Denmark.
- 2023
Linear channel adopts the TV 2 Direkte name
[1]The former TV 2 channel is renamed TV 2 Direkte to distinguish it from TV 2 Play.
- 2012
Egmont becomes owner
[1]The Danish media group Egmont takes ownership of TV 2.
- 2010
Terrestrial distribution becomes subscription-based
[1]TV 2 ceases free-to-air terrestrial access and requires a paid RiksTV subscription for that form of reception.
- 2009
HD broadcasting begins
[1]TV 2 starts high-definition transmission on 25 June, initially via RiksTV.
- 1992
Official launch
[1]TV 2 officially launches on 5 September and begins regular programming the next day.
- 1992
TV 2 joins the European Broadcasting Union
[1]TV 2 A/S is admitted as a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union.
- 1991
TV 2 AS wins the national broadcasting licence
[1]A consortium led by TV 2 AS is selected for the commercial television concession after the licence process begins.
- 1991
Test broadcasting begins
[1]TV 2 starts test transmissions on 13 November.
- 1990
Norway opens the way for a commercial alternative to NRK
[1]The Storting creates the policy basis for an advertising-financed national television channel outside the public broadcaster.
Products and positioning
A mainstream Norwegian commercial television channel positioned as a broad national alternative to NRK, with a schedule combining news, sport, entertainment, factual programming, drama and acquired content.
Linear television channel · 1992
TV 2 Direkte
The flagship Norwegian generalist channel in the TV 2 portfolio. It carries national news, live sports, entertainment, factual programming, reality formats, drama, films and acquired international series. The service is distributed through terrestrial, cable, satellite and IPTV platforms, and is principally aimed at viewers in Norway.
High-definition television service · 2009
TV 2 Direkte HD
The high-definition transmission of the main TV 2 channel. It began on 25 June 2009, initially through RiksTV, and uses the 720p50 format. HD programming included live sport, films, entertainment shows and selected imported series.
Brand decisions
2023
Rename the linear channel TV 2 DirekteStrategyBackground
TV 2 operated both a traditional linear channel and the TV 2 Play streaming service, creating a need to clarify the distinction between the two offerings.
Action taken
The long-established TV 2 channel was renamed TV 2 Direkte.
Aftermath
The new name positions the service explicitly as the group’s direct, linear television channel while leaving TV 2 Play as the streaming brand.
2010
Move from free-to-air terrestrial access to paid terrestrial distributionStrategyBackground
TV 2 had been free-to-air on terrestrial television since its launch, although cable and satellite carriage was generally subscription-based.
Action taken
From 1 January 2010, terrestrial viewers needed a paid RiksTV subscription to receive the channel.
Aftermath
TV 2 continued through terrestrial, cable, satellite and IPTV distribution, but no longer offered free-to-air terrestrial access.
2009
Introduction of HD transmissionGeneration changeBackground
Television distribution was moving toward higher-resolution formats, and TV 2 sought to extend its technical offering beyond standard definition.
Action taken
TV 2 began broadcasting selected programming in HD on 25 June 2009, initially via RiksTV.
Aftermath
HD coverage expanded during 2009 to include sports, films, entertainment and several imported series.
Recent events
- 2023
TV 2 is renamed TV 2 Direkte[1]
Leadership change
The linear channel adopted the name TV 2 Direkte to differentiate it from the TV 2 Play streaming service.
- 2012
TV 2 is acquired by Egmont[1]
M&A
The Danish media group Egmont became the owner of TV 2. Egmont had also been involved in the broadcaster’s original founding consortium.
- 2010
TV 2 becomes a terrestrial pay-TV channel[1]
Pricing
The channel ended its free-to-air terrestrial availability on 1 January 2010 and became accessible through a paid RiksTV subscription.
- 2009
TV 2 begins high-definition broadcasting[1]
Product generation
TV 2 introduced HD transmission on 25 June 2009, initially through RiksTV, using the 720p50 format.
- 1992
TV 2 launches as Norway's first commercial free-to-air television channel[1]
Product launch
TV 2 officially began broadcasting on 5 September 1992 after a period of test transmissions. Its launch established a nationwide commercial alternative to NRK.
Sources2 sources
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