Greece has over 1022 licensed radio stations, most of them on the FM band, the AM band being almost entirely abandoned by everyone but the State-run media and several notable exceptions. In March 2001, the Greek government shut down approximately 60 of the 90+ FM stations in the Athens area, citing interference to frequencies to be used by the new Athens International Airport. There are some who believe, that the government shut down these stations, as a political favor to powerful publishing and media groups, whose stations, for the most part, remained on the air, while others argued that the licensing process was legally inconsistent.
Contents
- Chania Crete region
- Heraklion Crete region
- Lasithi Crete region
- Rethymno Crete region
- Athens region
- Thessaloniki region
- Rest of the country
- Achaia Patras region
- Aetoloakarnania region
- Arcadia Tripolis region
- Argolida Nafplio region
- Arta Epirus region
- Cephalonia region
- Chalkidiki region
- Chios region
- Corfu region
- Corinth region
- Dodecanese region
- Drama Macedonia region
- Elia Pyrgos region
- Evia Chalcis region
- Evros Thrace region
- Evrytania region
- Florina region
- Fokida region
- Fthiotida region
- Grevena region
- Imathia region
- Ioannina region
- Karditsa region
- Kastoria region
- Kavala region
- Kilkis region
- Kozani region
- Kyklades region
- Lakonia region
- Larissa region
- Lefkada region
- Lesvos region
- Magnesia region
- Messinia region
- Pella region
- Pieria region
- Preveza region
- Rodopi region
- Samos region
- Serres region
- Thesprotia region
- Trikala region
- Viotia region
- Xanthi region
- Zakynthos region
- Medium Wave AM band
- In Athens
- In Thessaloniki
- The rest of Greece
- On Shortwave
- Digital Radio DAB and Internet
- References
As a result, the licensing process came under legal scrutiny, and in 2002, 8 of these stations reopened, and in 2004-2005, several more stations reopened following a relevant court order. Since then, more stations have opened, most of them without any legal permission to do so. Many of these stations are the same ones which were shut down in 2001. It is unknown yet, what a new licensing process will be and what it will require of applicants, which stations and how many stations will be licensed, and what will happen to stations that are unlicensed, considering the current government's lack of control over the airwaves. This is a list of major FM stations in Greece, which is being upgraded.
Chania (Crete) region
In Chania there are 31 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 11 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 20 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Heraklion (Crete) region
In Heraklion there are 50 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 10 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 40 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Lasithi (Crete) region
In Lasithi there are 14 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 6 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 8 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Rethymno (Crete) region
In Rethymno there are 21 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 7 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 14 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Athens region
Most stations in Athens broadcast from Mount Ymittos, to the east of the city (but west of the Athens International Airport in Spata). A smaller minority of stations operate from Mount Parnitha, northwest of the city, or Mount Egaleo, bordering the west of the city. Many stations also have repeaters on the island of Aegina, south of Athens in the Saronic Sea, to cover coastal regions of Athens, including Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, which due to the topography of the region, cannot receive clear signals from the other locations.
Most stations broadcast in stereo and several employ the Radio Data System (RDS) technology. Most stations also broadcast with wattage ranging from 2 kW to 15-30 kW; official data on this is not made publicly available. Currently, 44 private radio stations are legally permitted to broadcast in Athens, in addition to the state radio broadcast stations. Focus Bari was chosen as the official company to measure audience listening data and ratings for stations in the Athens region. Previous to that, Focus Bari had been one of several companies tracking audience ratings.
In Attica there are 44 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 35 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 9 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Thessaloniki region
In the Thessaloniki region a licensing bid for 27 FM frequencies has been on hold for several years, while engineering studies have shown that up to 19 more radio stations could possibly broadcast safely in the region, though how many, if any, additional frequencies will be tendered remains uncertain.
Most radio stations in Thessaloniki broadcast from Mount Chortiatis, slightly northeast of the city. A very small minority broadcast from or have repeaters in other points throughout the region. Most stations broadcast in stereo, but a small (but slowly growing) number use the Radio Data System. Like in Athens, most stations use excessively high wattage. Temporarily, most, but not all, stations are broadcasting with legal "permission" from Greek National Council for Radio and Television (ESR), until and if new licenses are issued. In Thessaloniki there are 58 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 13 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 45 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Rest of the country
In the rest of Greece, there are 804 licensed stations operating (with stations of Athens, Thessaloniki and Crete is totally 1022). Throughout Greece overall, 429 are licensed by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media, while 593 are licensed by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Achaia (Patras) region
In Achaea there are 47 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 14 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 33 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Aetoloakarnania region
In Aetolia-Acarnania there are 28 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first half (14) stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the other half stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Arcadia (Tripolis) region
In Arcadia there are 15 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 7 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 8 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Argolida (Nafplio) region
In Argolis there are 23 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 13 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 10 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Arta (Epirus) region
In Arta there are 11 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 4 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 7 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Cephalonia region
In Cephalonia there are 7 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 3 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 4 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Chalkidiki region
In Chalkidiki there are 13 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 6 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 7 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Chios region
In Chios there are 17 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 10 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 7 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Corfu region
In Corfu there are 21 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 11 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 10 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Corinth region
In Corinth there are 26 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 7 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 19 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Dodecanese region
In Dodecanese there are 44 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 16 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 28 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Drama (Macedonia) region
In Drama there are 16 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 9 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 7 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Elia (Pyrgos) region
In Elis there are 16 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 12 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 4 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Evia (Chalcis) region
In Euboea there are 31 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 15 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 16 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Evros (Thrace) region
In Evros there are 31 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 12 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 19 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Evrytania region
In Evrytania there are 5 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 2 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 3 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Florina region
In Florina there are 7 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 5 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 2 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Fokida region
In Phocis there are 4 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first station with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 3 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Fthiotida region
In Phthiotis there are 25 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 5 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 20 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Grevena region
In Grevena there are 5 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 4 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the last one with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Imathia region
In Imathia there are 13 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 5 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 8 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Ioannina region
In Ioannina there are 30 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 8 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 22 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Karditsa region
In Karditsa there are 7 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 4 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 3 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Kastoria region
In Kastoria there are 8 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 5 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 3 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Kavala region
In Kavala there are 29 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 7 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 22 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Kilkis region
In Kilkis there are 5 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 2 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 3 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Kozani region
In Kozani there are 28 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 12 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 16 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Kyklades region
In Cyclades there are 27 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 13 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 14 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Lakonia region
In Laconia there are 19 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 10 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 9 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Larissa region
In Larissa there are 30 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 16 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 14 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Lefkada region
In Lefkada there are 4 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 2 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 2 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Lesvos region
In Lesbos there are 19 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 9 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 10 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Magnesia region
In Magnesia there are 28 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 5 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 23 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Messinia region
In Messenia there are 21 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 16 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 5 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Pella region
In Pella there are 9 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 4 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 5 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Pieria region
In Pieria there are 19 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 6 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 13 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Preveza region
In Preveza there are 6 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first half (3) stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the other half stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Rodopi region
In Rhodope there are 15 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 5 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 10 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Samos region
In Samos there are 12 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 8 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 4 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Serres region
In Serres there are 25 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 13 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 12 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Thesprotia region
In Thesprotia there are 4 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first station with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 3 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Trikala region
In Trikala there are 14 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 12 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 2 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Viotia region
In Boeotia there are 11 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 5 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 6 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Xanthi region
In Xanthi there are 23 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 4 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 19 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Zakynthos region
In Zakynthos there are 6 licensed radio stations are broadcasting. The first 2 stations with permission by the former Ministry for the Press and the Media of Greece and the remaining 4 stations with permission by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television.
Medium Wave (AM band)
On the AM band there are few licensed stations left, all of which are state run. Unlicensed broadcasting is tolerated as the majority of listeners have abandoned the MW band. A number of unlicensed radio stations have taken advantage of that, thus avoiding the "crowded" FM band. A number of pirate radio enthusiasts use the expanded upper part of the AM band (1600–1710 kHz) for "experimental" transmissions. When MW pirate radio broadcasting occurred, there was a format division between the AM and FM, in Athens and Thessaloniki. On the MW/AM band most radio pirates in Athens were broadcasting foreign music (pop and rock) whereas in FM most radio pirates broadcast Greek popular music. In Thessaloniki, and most of the rest of Greece, on MW/AM pirates were playing Greek popular music, and foreign pop and rock on FM. Currently, with several exceptions, nearly all MW/AM radio pirates play Greek popular music to a limited audience.
In Athens
All the state-run radio stations still broadcast their programmes on the MW band, except the ERA 3 (Third Programme) which gave its frequency (666 kHz) to an AM only station ERA Filia (Friendship). The programme is shared with another state station KOSMOS (cultural & ethnic music). Since unlicensed broadcasting on the AM in Greece is illegal but tolerated, some pirate radio stations broadcast full-fledged radio programmes, some with commercials and some experimental. An example is on 1098 kHz, broadcasting experimentally in C-QUAM, AM Stereo, one of the few AM Stereo radio stations in Europe. Other unlicensed radio stations on the MW include those on 909 kHz, 1017 kHz, 1035 kHz, 1188 kHz.
In Thessaloniki
The two official state-run radio programmes still broadcast their programmes on the MW: the first programme of the Radio Station of Macedonia on 1044 kHz and the second programme on 1179 kHz (simulcasting along with their FM services). A notable unlicensed radio station in Thessaloniki is the 1431AM, a free radio station broadcasting regularly from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki campus in the centre of the city. Other pirate radio stations in the Thessaloniki area are using the 1566 kHz and the AM expanded band (1600–1710).
The rest of Greece
State-run ERA radio stations broadcast the ERA International Network programme to the Mediterranean and south-east Europe on 765 kHz (ERT Ioannina), 927 kHz (ERT Zakynthos), 1008 kHz (ERT Corfu), 1260 kHz (ERT Rhodes), 1404 kHz (ERT Komotini) and 1512 kHz (ERT Chania) in Greek. Other regional radio stations still broadcast in AM their programme (ERA National network), such as Kavala and Kozani on the same frequency (1602 kHz) and Heraklion Crete (954 kHz). Numerous pirate stations, many of them high powered, broadcast irregularly throughout Greece. Most are from the central-northern part of the country (Thessaly, West and Central Macedonia) but there are AM radio pirates in Thrace, Crete, Cyclades and Peloponnese as well. On the AM expanded band (1600–1710) numerous radio pirates transmit experimentally without regular schedule, or programme, mostly Greek popular music along with Q code QSO.
On Shortwave
Apart from the Voice of Greece there was the Third Programme of the Radio Station of Macedonia (ERT3) which was broadcast on the frequencies 7450 kHz, 9935 kHz and 11595 kHz from Thessaloniki. On June 11, 2013 due to the Closure of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, radio stopped functioning. However, after the re-opening of the broadcaster on June 11, 2015 the Third Programme was merged with the Voice the Greece, although it sounds that will reopen. The Voice of Greece transmitted in Greek and other languages having an international audience throughout the Greek diaspora.
Digital Radio (DAB and Internet)
There are currently no regular broadcasts on DAB or DRM digital radio in Greece, but there are occasionally DAB tests broadcasting in the Athens and Thessaloniki areas on channels 13A, 13B, 13C since 2003. Most radio stations in Greece stream their audio on the Internet.