Radio Television of Serbia (Радио-телевизија Србије (PTC) or Radio-televizija Srbije) is the public broadcaster in Serbia. It broadcasts and produces a variety of news, drama, and sports programming through radio, television and the Internet. RTS is since July 2001 a member of the European Broadcasting Union. RTS is also the biggest broadcaster in the former Yugoslavia and the Balkans. Formerly, it was known as Radio Television Belgrade (RTB).

History

Radio Belgrade started broadcasting in 1929, and this is considered the founding moment of the Serbian broadcasting system. The first news announcer in 1929 was Jelena Biblija. After World War II, Radio Television Belgrade (RTB), consisting of Radio Belgrade and Television Belgrade (TVB) was established as a result of the decision by the Executive Council of the Socialist Republic of Serbia on February 13, 1958. This came after the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's government decision of 1956 to invest in a television network.

23 August 1958 was the date of the first televised broadcast. It was the Dnevnik (Journal) news programme. The first people to appear on the new TV station were Miloje Orlović, Branislav Surutka, Olga Nadj, Olivera Živković and Vera Milovanović. The first RTB program was broadcast from Beogradski sajam (Belgrade fair) and from a new TV Studio build there. As of 1961, RTS used the delayed airing equipment (quadruplex VTR). The Sixties saw dramatic development in all genres of TV programs. TVB became famous by its sitcoms (directed and written by Radivoje-Lola Djukić, Novak Novak and others (unfortunately, only a small percentage of this production is preserved, due to implicit censorship and lack of tapes). Also, TVB had excellent documentary program (series Karavan, Reflektor and others) and quizzes. By 1970 the entire territory of Serbia was covered by the RTS signal. On December 31, 1971, TVB started with broadcast in PAL color system on its second network. A new AM broadcast equipment in Zvecka, Obrenovac, with 2000 kW transmitter was erected in 1976.

After the political turmoil in seventies (against the "liberals") the program of RTB became more sterile, however, in eighties it reached the zenith.

The Slobodan Milošević era

The establishment of regime of Slobodan Milošević led RTB to the worst days in its history. Hundreds of experienced journalists and other creative people were first sent to lay-offs and then fired since they could not agree with propaganda broadcast on RTB frequencies. In 1992 RTB, together with Radio Televizija Novi Sad (RTNS) and Radio Televizija Pristina (RTP) became a part of Radio Television of Serbia, centralized and closely governed network aimed to be a loudspeaker for Slobodan Miloševic and his policy. The worst part of TV programming during the nineties was Dnevnik (Daily news) which was used to glorify "wise politics of Slobodan Milošević" and to attack "servants of Western powers, forces of chaos and desperateness", i.e., Serbian opposition.

On April 23, 1999, the NATO airforce killed sixteen people, mostly technical staff, when they bombed the RTS headquarters in downtown Belgrade. In 2002, Dragoljub Milanović, the general manager of RTS, was sentenced to 10 years in prison because he ordered the workers to stay in the building despite the knowledge that the building would probably be bombed.

On October 5, 2000, the same RTS building was demolished and partly burned during the riots against Slobodan Milošević. After October 5, 2000, RTS was sometimes called Nova RTS (New RTS) to symbolize the liberation from the control of the Slobodan Milošević regime.

Iconic programmes

• TV Slagalica (English: TV Puzzle) is the longest running quiz show in the Balkans. On September 22, 2008 the quiz show entered its 44th season. It has been on RTS programming for over 14 years and has always been a solid performer in the ratings.
• Pozorište u kući (English: Theatre at home) was a comedy series aired on RTS more than 30 years ago. In 2006 the broadcaster decided to remake and continue the show so in 2007 the second season aired (30 years after its first season finished). The show was heavily advertised and held on to generally good ratings.
• Bolji život (English: A better life) is one of the most iconic Yugoslav shows ever produced. Made during the 80's and 90's it works through the problems of a few families. The show brought in huge ratings for the network during its dark days of the 90's and after the production of the show ceased RTS has continually repeated all episodes.

Eurovision Song Contest 2008

See: 2008 Eurovision Song Contest

RTS was the host broadcaster of the semi-final and finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. Serbia gained the rights to host the contest after Marija Šerifović's 2007 victory in Helsinki, Finland. The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was held in Belgrade. RTS broadcast the event as usual (since 2004) on RTS1. The host couple were Jovana Janković and Željko Joksimović. The rating of the final of Eurovision was overwhelming with 4,560,000 people tuning in to watch making it the most watched event on Serbian television as well as on RTS.

RTS today

The system is officially divided into the Vojvodina and Serbia public broadcasting systems as of May 2006. This is to mark a transition from a state-owned to a public broadcaster. This bears legal and practical connotation, in terms of control and financing. RTS now consists of two channels instead of three. These changes were imposed on May 5, 2006 when RTS was divided in two parts: JSS (Public Service of Serbia) and JSV (Public Service of Vojvodina).

Televizija Beograd, a part of RTS with headquarters in Belgrade have several TV studios: in addition to two largest studios on Kosutnjak (studio VIII and IX), there is also TV studio (Studio IV) on Belgrade Fair, historically the first TV studio in Serbia, and several studios in Aberdareva St. (some of these studio have been destroyed during NATO attack).

Televizija Beograd has large archives of TV programs. In addition to 5000+ old VTR quadruplex tapes, the archive contains tapes in VTR-C (helicoidal), umatic, beta-SP and digital formats. Also, the archive contains extensive collection of newsreels, short filmed stories, and feature films on 16mm and 35mm tapes. This archive required urgent protection, since tapes are not kept in proper conditions, and since Televizija Beograd does not have proper equipment to transfer the programs to newer media (the situation is especially critical for quadruplex and film archive).

A part of Televizija Beograd is also PGP-RTS, production of gramophone records (now produces CDs, VHS tapes and DVDs). PGP-RTS started with production in 1958 under the name PGP-RTB, with the LP record of Đorđe Marjanović, and used to be one of two largest record labels in former Yugoslavia.

In early 2006 RTS decided to shut down one of its television channels. It was 3K (Treći kanal RTS-a), which was a music and sports channel.

In 2007 BBC World Service Trust launched an extensive training programme at Serbia's national broadcaster. This 30-month project, which is funded by the European Union, is providing extensive journalism, craft and management training to all levels of staff at the national broadcaster.

2008

In 2008 RTS will undergo major changes. The biggest change will be that in 2008 it will become Serbia's first network to use HDTV (high-definition television). It has also invested millions in new technology. The new high-definition television system will be in place by April 2008. During 2008 the networks web presentations was greately improved. Furthermore RTS has bought right to air other HBO shows to be aired on RTS1. By the end of 2008 RTS will receive a complete visual new look which will include the reformatting of all introducing jingles, the logo and the studio layout.

RTS has also already bought rights to broadcast the following events in 2008.

RTS has also bought the rights to broadcast the 2009 Summer Universiade games to be held in Belgrade from July 1 - 12, 2009.

News and current affairs

RTS has the most watched news and current affairs programmes, according to the 2007 AGB Nilsen Serbian ratings. RTS has many news and current affairs shows. Its most watched news bulletin Dnevnik 2 airs on RTS nightly at 19.30 and is the most watched news bulletin in Serbia since 2003. Although RTS is facing increased competition from a private television network B92, it has managed to beat RTV Pink's news bulletin which airs at the same time as Dnevnik. Dnevnik has recovered its reputation after the Slobodan Milošević era. It now averages 1.500.000 - 2.000.000 viewers nightly. RTS also has a range of other news and current affair shows.

On August 23, 2008 the 50th anniversary of Dnevnik (the RTS news bulletin) was celebrated. A special edition of the 19.30 Dvenik was aired with Mića Orlović, the first newsreader to host the news in Serbia, hosted the special addition helped by Dušanka Kalanj, the first female newsreader in Serbia. The theme of the evening's news included a reflection on the past 50 years a projection of the future as well as the news of the day. The weather was read out by Zaharije Trnavčević, the first weather anchor. All babies born on August 23, 2008 received a flat screen television set from RTS.

The following are news and current affairs aired on RTS (as of September 2008):

• Dnevnik (major bulletins at 12.00, 19.30 and 00.00)
• Jutarnji program (morning programme)
• Šta radite, bre (review of what political parties in Serbia are up to)
• Beogradska Hronika (show produced for Belgraders with news and current affairs from Belgrade)
• Oko magazin (current affairs programme)
• Evronet (EU and economic projects in Serbia)
• Ključ (current events panel talkshow)
• Upitnik (political talkshow)
• Ovo je Srbija (an hour long show focusing on news across Serbia)
• Dnevnik RT Vojvodina (Radio Television of Vojvodina news bulletin at 17.00)
• Da. Možda, ne (political talkshow)

Entertainment

The RTS Entertainment division is largely based on local production of Serbian drama programmes, soaps and musical programmes. Recently RTS has started investing more in local drama and as a result has been rewarded with high ratings. A prime example would be local drama Ono naše što nekada bejaše which on its debut night on November 18, 2007 received an audience of 1.773.000, making it the most watched debut show on Serbian television. The show's ratings grew to an impressive 2.359.000 viewers only 7 days later.

The following is a list of entertainment programmes produced by RTS and aired by RTS (as of September 2008):

• Kuvati srcem (Cooking with a heart)
• Mira Adanja-Polak i Vi (Mira Adanja-Polak and You)
• Vreme je za bebe (It's time for babies)
• Slagalica (quiz show)
• Jedna pesma, jedna želja (One song, one wish)
• 48 sati-svadba (48-hour wedding)
• SAT (SAT)
• Žikina šarenica (Žika's šarenica)
• TV lica... kao sav normalan svet (TV faces... like all normal people)
• Afirmacija (Afirmation)

Drama series

• Srećni ljudi (Happy people)
• Policajac sa Petlovog brda (Policeman from Petlovo brdo)
• Lud, zbunjen, normalan (Crazy, confused, normal)
• Moj rođak sa sela (My cousin from the village)
• Metla bez drške (Broom without the stick)

RTS also relies on dramas and soaps produced outside of Serbia as well as documentary programmes.

The following is a list of internationally created shows broadcast by RTS (correct as of September 2008):

Original name	Serbian translation	Channel	Origin
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation	Mesto zločina	RTS1
Millennium	Milenijum	RTS1
Wild Palms	Divlje palme	RTS1
Rome	Rim	RTS1 (commencing November 2008)
Prison Break	Bekstvo iz zatvora	RTS1 (commencing January 2009)
Desperate Housewives	Očajne domaćice	RTS2
The Adventures of Blinky Bill	Avanture Blinkija Bila	RTS2
Highlander	Gorštak	RTS2
Student Bodies	Srednjoškolci	RTS2
Hotel Babylon	Hotel Babilon	RTS1
Dr Otter	Doktor Vidra	RTS2
My name is Earl	Zovem se Erl	RTS2
Power Rangers	Moćni rendžeri	RTS2
Smeshariki	Smešariki	RTS2
Tabaluga	Tabaluga	RTS2
Maya the Bee	Pčelica Maja	RTS2
Marvi Hämmer	Marvi Hamer	RTS2

Radio

RTS Radio 1

The goal of RTS Radio 1 is to provide comprehensive news and current affairs programmes to the public. The radio station also offers entertainment and culture shows.

RTS Radio 2 and 3

RTS Radio 2 is a cultural station based around social dialogue which constantly broadcasts thoughts about life and creation abroad and in Serbia. The station shares the same radio waves as RTS Radio 3. RTS 2 is broadcast from six in the morning until eight in the evening. The station is known for documentary reporting, religious discussions classical music, evergreen, jazz and satire. RTS Radio 3 is broadcast from 20.00 until 06.00.

Belgrade 202

This Radio station broadcasts in the Belgrade metropolitan area. It broadcasts short news segments, rock and pop music. Hosts of various music programmes on the radio often ask listeners to send in their thoughts via SMS or the Internet. Belgrade 202 also has a special morning programme broadcast from 06.00 until 09.00. which is based around current cultural, social and political trends.

Television

RTS1

RTS1 is the public and national broadcaster of Serbia which usually wins each year with the highest ratings in Serbia. RTS1 offers viewers political shows and debates and domestic and international shows. RTS1 prides itself for being the network with the most domestic shows which it funds itself. It is also host of the most popular programme in Serbia is a domestic show called "Bela lađa" which usually has an audience of 2.1 million people.

RTS2

Like its radio counterpart, RTS2 focuses on culture, in addition to offering music and sporting events. Parliamentary sittings are also broadcast live on RTS2. Though on average it doesn't draw high viewer ship, RTS2 often may win the viewing day with special sporting events and special parliamentary debates. RTS2 also broadcasts children's and educational programmes and reruns of old Serbian drama and comedy programmes. RTS2 has broadcasting rights for the following sport events Premier League, FA Cup and Grand Slam tournaments. RTS2 broadcast the 2008 Summer Olympics together with RTS1.

RTS SAT

RTS SAT is the name of RTS's satellite service created to serve the Serbian diaspora across the world. It broadcasts the most popular programmes from RTS1 and RTS2. RTS SAT now covers Australia, Europe and North America.

RTS Internet

In accordance to the EBU, RTS offers live programming on its internet website of its radio and television networks.

Ratings 2008

RTS enjoys high ratings on many of its shows which often beat the other two most popular television networks in Serbia RTV Pink and B92. After years of stagnation at the beginning of the 21st century in the ratings, the end of 2007 saw a revival. In 2008, RTS established itself as the most watched network in Serbia.

The following table shows the most popular RTS programmes broadcast in 2008 thus far:

Programme	Rating (%)	Network	Air date
2008 Eurovision Song Contest (final)	31.5	RTS 1	May 24
Presidential debate: Boris Tadić – Tomislav Nikolić	31.4	RTS 1	January 30
Selo gori, a baba se češlja (local show)	31.0	RTS 1	January 13
Selo gori, a baba se češlja (local show)	28.9	RTS 1	April 12
Selo gori, a baba se češlja (local show)	28.5	RTS 1	March 29
Bela lađa season 2 (local show)	26.7	RTS 1	February 24
Selo gori, a baba se češlja (local show)	26.4	RTS 1	May 3
Dnevnik 2 (news)	26.3	RTS 1	February 3
Dnevnik 2 (news)	25.4	RTS 1	March 9
Bela lađa season 2 (local show)	25.3	RTS 1	March 9

* All ratings listed above our based on AGB Nielsen Media Research. All ratings are based upon viewer ratings in Serbia excluding the region of Kosovo.

Taglines

In 2000 after the network stopped being Slobodan Milošević's propaganda outlet the network's new slogan and tagline became "Nova Radio Televizija Srbije" (New Radio Television of Serbia). This stoped after some time when it was established that RTS is no longer heavily government controlled. In 2005 it introduced the slogan "Javni medijski servis evropske Srbije" (The public broadcaster of a European Serbia) in the wake of Serbia's integration into the European community. Late 2007 the network dropped the "European" out of its slogan and its tagline became "Javni medijski servis Srbije, vaše pravo da znate sve" (The public broadcaster of Serbia, your right to know everything). In early 2008 the slogan became controversial. Private television network B92 accused RTS of dropping the "European" out of its slogan because it was following politics from the Democratic Party of Serbia which has become less enthusiastic at the prospect of Serbia joining the EU due to the Kosovo independence issue. A bitter feud between the two networks began and RTS immediately returned the "European" to its slogan broadcasting the small clip numerous times during the day especially during its most watched programme the 19.30 News. Today the network uses both the "Javni medijski servis Srbije, vaše pravo da znate sve" slogan and the "Javni medijski servis evropske Srbije" slogan.

2007-present: Radio Televizija Srbije, vaše pravo da znate sve. (Radio Television Serbia, your right to know everything.)

2005-present: Javni medijski servis evropske Srbije. (The public broadcaster of a European Serbia.)

2000-2001: Nova Radio Televizija Srbije. (New Radio Television of Serbia)

General-directors

This is the list of all General-directors of the Radio Television of Serbia (Radio Television Belgrade) throughout the history.

General-director	Years
Mirko Tepavac	1955-1959
Dušan Popović	1959 - 1962
Zdravko Vuković	1962 - 1972
Milan Vukos	1972 - 1985
Ratomir Vico	1985 - 1988
Dušan Mitević	1989 - 1991
Ratomir Vico	1991 - 1991
Dobrosav Bjeletić	1992 - 1992
Milorad Vučelić	1992 - 1995
Dragoljub Milanović	September 1995 - October 2000
Nenad Ristić	October 2000 - 2001
Aleksandar Crkvenjakov	2001 - March 2004
Aleksandar Tijanić	March 2004 - present

References

External links

• Official site
• History of Television Belgrade
• History of Television Belgrade in Serbian (with video files and photos)