History
365 mass media
The founding of 365 in the beginning of 2005 marked a turning point in the history of the mass media in Iceland. The merger of Fréttir and Nordurljós created the largest mass media company in Iceland; a progressive service company that is a leader in its field, a company with a clear vision of the future. Immediately on its founding, the company began systematically to lay a sure basis for the future of 365, both through reorganization of the already existing media and the introduction of new media.
The company was established on the solid basis of strong and widely distributed media; the television channels Stöð 2 and Sýn, the daily newspapers Fréttablaðið and DV, and the radio stations Bylgjan, FM957, X-ið 97.7 and Létt 96.7.
Stöð 2 is the oldest and biggest subscription television channel in the country, having been established in 1986, and has ever since remained the largest privately operated television channel in Iceland. The channel has never had more subscribers and more viewers that in 2006, its 20th year of operation. Similarly, the radio station Bylgjan, which also became 20 years old in 2006, is the oldest privately run radio station in Iceland is also the one with the greatest number of listeners of all Icelandic radio stations. Fréttablaðið, the first Iceland newspaper to be distributed free to every home in the country, was first printed in 2001. Today the paper has, in a surprisingly short time, achieved a leading position in the Icelandic newspaper market in terms of distribution, readership and income from the sale of advertisements.
Skaftahlíd 24
Shortly after the founding of 365 preparations were begun to move the different types of media to the same premises, Skaftahlíd 24, which before had housed the editors of Fréttablaðið and DV. The television channels moved little by little above Krók- and Lyngháls in 2005 and 2006 and the radio stations then followed in their footsteps. By the middle of 2006 most of the moves had been accomplished and nearly all the media had settled in the improved premises at Skaftahlíd.
NFS: Revolution in presenting the news
Talstöðin, the ambitious radio talk show that began broadcasting in February 2005, was a sure forerunner of the greatest revolution in Iceland in presenting the news since the State Radio began. Later in the year, more exactly in November, NFS, the first Icelandic news station to do so, began broadcasting televised news. First of all Icelandic television stations to do so, NFS broadcasts the news and a completely Icelandic programme from morning till midnight. At the same time all strengthening of 365 news media was put in the hands of the Nýja fréttastofan (the New News Office), the largest and most powerful news office in Iceland.
Sirkus
In June 2005 the Icelandic mass media flora bloomed even more when 365 began broadcasting a new television channel called Sirkus (circus). The channel is the first Icelandic television channel that aims to systematically offer programming for young people. It is at the same time the pillar of the Sirkus family, which brings together under one hat all of the 365 media intended for young people– Sirkus, PoppTíví, FM 957, X-ið 97.7 and the periodical Sirkus. Early in 2006 the Sirkus website minnsirkus.is was opened formally and functions as the main meeting place and focal point of the Sirkus family.
The market here and now
More new and progressive mass media arrived on the scene in 2005. The first issue of the business paper Markadurinn (The Market) appeared in May as an insert in the Wednesday issues of Fréttablaðið. Markaðurinn quickly gained a footing as the most read business paper in the country and enjoys unequivocal respect, both among the general public and those in the business world.
In May 2005 the publication of the periodical Hér og nú (Here and Now) was also begun. The aim of this periodical is to present news about interesting people, in text and in pictures. Hér og nú has become known for its lively and noteworthy presentation.
Web TV
Visir.is achieved the significant step in 2005 of becoming the most visited website in Iceland. Its success is not least to thank for the appearance of innovations like VefRadíó (WebRadio), VefBlöd (Webpapers) and VefTV (WebTV) – the first Icelandic web TV station. VefTV á Vísi was broadcast in July 2005 and now provides the opportunity to get the news, direct broadcasts and other Icelandic TV program material that have been aired on 365 TV channels.