“May Day ceremonies were brought to the viewers for the first time” a quote that echoes the Magyar Televízió’s early mission. What does Magyar Televízió mean to Hungary? Right here we explore the story of Hungary’s oldest television broadcaster.
Magyar Televízió or MTV began its official transmissions on May 1 1957. This momentous day marked the start of daily news programs on July 2 1957. It all began as part of Hungarian Radio but it was renamed “Hungarian Radio and Television” on August 18 1957.
Did you know Magyar Televízió suggested an international organization? It was for exchanging television material. It was named Intervision. The first four members were Czechoslovakia the German Democratic Republic Hungary and Poland.
By 1959 Hungarian Television had over 50000 subscribers. In 1960 the Corporation established an archive. Its programs are stored there even today. In less than ten years of operation Magyar Televízió had about 2.7 million viewers by 1964.
Studies revealed interesting facts. About 3-5 viewers per television set existed. Another study revealed that by 1965 46% of rural inhabitants chose television for entertainment. Reading got 25% and radio got 10%.
Theatrical transmissions were very popular. In 1966 23 plays were broadcast from Budapest and 20 from other cities. Also 25 television movies and five musicals were transmitted.
1969 brought the one millionth subscriber. This meant about 4 million viewers. The first color recording was made this year. It was Béla Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin. Transmissions continued in black-and-white until 1971 though.
1971 brought the first regular color transmission. Test transmissions of a second channel were begun as well. This decade was very prolific. Thousands of programming hours were produced.
Annual programming time reached 4300 hours in the 1980s. It equaled 83 hours a week. Teletext services commenced in 1981. It was called Képújság meaning Picture Newspaper.
Long-running programs started in this decade. They included Ablak Window and Panoráma a foreign affairs program. Regional programming began in 1984 in Pécs. Cable television began in Székesfehérvár the same year.
The first broadcast of a telenovela happened in the mid-1980s. It was the Brazilian Escrava Isaura Slave Destiny. The first Hungarian soap opera Szomszédok Neighbours also started on May 7 1987.
By the late 1980s experimental digital television recordings were made. From 1988 seniors of 70 years were exempted from the license fee. Minority programs in other languages began too. MTV2 gained independence from MTV1.
With the changeover from socialism Magyar Televízió was completely restructured. In 1992 a new public service television station was started. It was named Duna Televízió.
In 1997 MTV argued about commercial channels. They thought their audience would be given away. Authorities allocated a new frequency to TV2. However m2 was still moved to satellite and cable.
During the 1990s Magyar Televízió gradually lost its independence. It became the voice of the current government.
Magyar Televízió is continuously underfinanced. It struggles to produce programs. Funding changed significantly in 2002. Mandatory television license fees ended. Funding came from government grants and advertising.
In 2011 most of the assets and employees were transferred. They went to the Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund abbreviated MTVA. In 2015 all were merged into Duna Media Service.
In 2007 Magyar Televízió sued MTV Music Television for trademark infringement. The suit is still ongoing.
The Hungarian Television’s central building was located on Szabadság tér Freedom Square. It was across from the Hungarian National Bank the U.S. Embassy and near Parliament. It is sold now and Magyar Televízió has moved to the outskirts of Budapest to a purpose-built modern building.
Magyar Televízió’s journey reflects Hungary’s journey. From state control to a struggle for independence its story is far from over. As Magyar Televízió continues to evolve it remains a vital part of Hungary’s cultural identity.