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Eesti Televisioon is the national public television station of Estonia. It made its first broadcast on 19 July 1955.
The bulk of ETV's funding comes from government grant-in-aid, around 15% of which is in turn funded by the fees paid by Estonian commercial broadcasters in return for their exclusive right to screen television advertising. ETV stopped showing commercials in 1998-1999 and has again ceased doing so since 2002: its low-cost advertising rates were damaging the ability of commercial broadcasters to operate. The introduction of a system of broadcast receiver licences, payable by viewers, was considered, but ultimately rejected in the face of public opposition.
On 1 January 1993, ETV was admitted as a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union.
In 2002, ETV hosted the Eurovision Song Contest.
On 9 January 2006, ETV launched an Internet news service called ETV24. Broadcasting news on Internet, teletext, and on ETV at night.
On 1 June 2007, ETV controversially merged with the Estonian Radio Service to form the Estonian Public Broadcasting or Eesti Rahvusringhääling, ERR for short. Created for under the new Estonian National Broadcasting Act, passed by the Estonian Parliament on 18 January 2007. So, ETV24 was replaced with ERR Uudised However, ETV has so far continued broadcasting under its original name.
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