Eesti Televisioon was launched on 19 July 1955. Before that, television broadcasts in Estonia could only be received from Moscow. The very first Estonian-language TV presenter was Ofelia Mikk, whose debut was in the 19 July 1955 test broadcast. Her tenure in television was cut short, because she misspoke out of nervousness. The first tenured presenter for the nascent ETV was Ruth Peramets-Püss. To find a presenter, a casting competition was held in 1955, but no suitable person was found. By chance, a film in which she starred, was aired on ETV on the day of the competition, and so she was hired. Kalmer Tennosaar began as a presenter on 1 January 1956, and subsequently worked as an editor and fellow of music programmes. He became very popular as the host of a children's songs show "Entel-tentel". Tennosaar later continued his career as a singer. On 1 January 1993, ETV was admitted as a full active member of the European Broadcasting Union. From the restoration of independence in 1991 to 31 December 1992, it was a member of the International Radio and Television Organisation. 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. In 2002, ETV hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2002. On 9 January 2006, ETV launched an Internetnews service called ETV24. Broadcasting news on Internet, teletext, and on ETV at night. Pursuant to the new Estonian National Broadcasting Act passed by the Estonian Parliament on 18 January 2007, ETV controversially merged with Eesti Raadio on 1 June 2007 to form the Estonian Public Broadcasting service, or Eesti Rahvusringhääling. During the consolidation, the ETV24 news service was replaced with ERR Uudised. However, ETV retained its original name, and continues broadcasting with it. On 1 July 2010, Estonia completed its transition to digital terrestrial television, discontinuing all analogue services. An informational on-screen message indicating this was visible on the old ETV frequencies until 5 July 2010.
Funding and management
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 itself is editorially fully independent. The Estonian Public Broadcasting Act regulates ERR's activities in Estonia through the Estonian Broadcasting Council. The Broadcasting Council is the highest management body of ERR. The first Chair of ERR is Margus Allikmaa.
