KRS-TV – Kristinestad in Finland

http://sydaby.eget.net/swe/tv.htm

KRS local TV started its broadcasting 21 September 1980 when it first transmitted over the  cable net owned by the "Antennbolaget Nordantenn". It was on the private initiative of Olle Haavisto who already in 1978 had got a Betamax video camera. The first program made by him was from the Summer Olympic Games in Moscow.

At the start there were programs a couple of times a month but soon 1-2 hours a week known by the name Kristinestads lokaltelevision.  A formal community tv organization was established in 1984 by three teams (one team per week). The first enthusiasm cooled however and in the meantime until 1990, when Olle again took over, the programs were made by hired distributors.

Until 1993 it was transmitted over the  cable net but in the same year KRS-TV  began to transmit through the aether as the first community tv in Finland and in cooperation with the nation wide YLE company. It transmitted by the YLE mast on the Bötombergen/Pyhävuori hill covering a region with 55 000 persons. No license fees were required. According to the concession the broadcasting time was 4 hours a week which meant 250-270 hours per year.

In 2008 KRS-TV took the step into the digital age and since 1 October 2008 it is transmitting via the VLT/Anvia mast by Blomträsket in Lappfjärd.

During its whole history the community tv has been funded by the town of Kristinestad/Kristiinankaupunki and voluntary fees. It is a not-for-profit tv from the start.

This year KRS-TV celebrates its 30th anniversary together with Olle Haavisto who has been the producer for 30 years and he himself celebrates his 70th anniversary.