The coronavirus made its appearance in Greece, day by day the confirmed outbreaks they grow and with them grows the concern of the people for the next day.
Until the end of February, viewers watched the developments in distant China and neighboring Italy through their receivers and hoped (in some cases they even wished) that the virus would not "knock" on the door of Greece.
But the coronavirus decided to visit the sunny one Greece on 26/02 when the first case was confirmed. From that moment until today, the developments in all sectors are rapid.
Information campaigns on how the public can be protected from the deadly virus, announcements of Government emergency measures, companies sending their workers home to work from there, "padlock" in schools are some typical examples of the situation that prevails lately. .
Along with the word "quarantine", Antiseptics have entered everyone's daily life.
But in addition to the daily routine, the coronavirus changed something else. What is this; The habits of the TV audience!
Strange as it may sound, this is reflected in viewing numbers. After all, the "battle" of information is tough and the viewer has the power in his hands, that is, the remote control.
The διαδρομή television route of the coronavirus
About a month before the first case of coronavirus in Greece was confirmed, and specifically on 27/01/2020, the first information on its transmissibility while in China the number of infected people exceeded 4.500.
The television audience that day chose the Star Channel news for their information, giving it the first place. The dynamic audience (aged 15-34) gave a clear lead to Star with a percentage of 21,5%. In the overall overall, however, the battle for second place was decided on the. Point. Star Channel's main news bulletin accounted for 19,1%, SKAI 16,3%, Alpha 16,2% and Ant1 16,1%.
A few days later, and the calendar shows 10/02/2020. The situation in Uhan seems to be out of control and scenes of insanity prevail while at the same time Europe is counting about 30 confirmed cases and many say that the coronavirus is dangerously approaching Greece.
The first changes in the habits of the TV audience make their appearance. Although the dynamic audience chose for its information the main news bulletin star channel at 19,2%, the overall viewership seemed to have other preferences. Specifically, 18,4% chose Ant1, 18,2% Alpha, 16,4% Star Channel and 15,9% SKAI.
On 21/02/2020 the Italy has already been hit by the coronavirus and now the virus seems to be closer to Greece than ever. The dynamic audience of viewers did not change channel and showed again their preference on Star Channel to learn the developments. This time, however, the general audience watched the same channel for the most part.
One day before the announcement of the first confirmed case in Greece, 25/02/2020 and the World Health Organization rings "Bell" of danger for a possible pandemic while all kinds of events are canceled one after the other for fear of the coronavirus.
The concern is widespread and everyone wants to know more about this deadly virus that reaps. The general audience was divided for its information and gave the first place to two stations. Ant1 and Alpha shared the lead as both gathered 18% of the total viewership, followed by SKAI with 17,6% and Star Channel with 15,5%. The youngest viewers, the so-called potential, remained loyal to the Star Channel at 17,1%, giving the station the lead in this category.
The clock showed noon on February 26, 2020 and the news that it was found first positive confirmed coronavirus case in Thessaloniki became known causing terror for what will follow and if Greece is ready to face such a challenge. The turn of the general television audience is clear. 21,1% of the total pressed the button on the remote control that led to Alpha to follow the developments in the main news bulletin. 17,6% chose Ant1, 16% Star Channel and 15,8% SKY. This time, however, the dynamic audience also changed channels and took the Star Channel from the first place, which finished second with a percentage of 16% and replaced Alpha with 18,7%.
Thursday, February 27 and already one is looking at each other strangely in the street, especially if the other one makes the mistake and… coughs. The wait for the carnival and the opportunity for a little unwinding and dancing was postponed as a protection measure of the population while the first effects on the economy make their appearance on the Stock Exchange.
With the power given to them by the remote control, the viewers changed the top three of the viewing table again. The dynamic audience put the central one in the first place news of Alpha with a percentage of 19,6% while the general total chose Ant1 with a percentage of 19,8%.
The days go by and the coronavirus changes even the daily habits as they are the simple handshakes and warm hugs. The calendar shows 03/03/2020 and this time SKAI wins the battle of information as it gathered 22,5% of the total number of viewers. In second place is the main news bulletin of Alpha with a percentage of 20,4%. The dynamic audience, however, seems to be slowly returning to its old habits as it gave its own first place again on the Star Channel with a percentage of 18,5%.
Shortly before the confirmed cases of coronavirus reach 100 and with the date showing 11/03/2020 the World Health Organization is one day before the announcement that we are now talking about a pandemic.
The youngest ages of the viewers (15-34) watched for their information the main news bulletin of Alpha at a rate of 21,6% as well as the dynamic audience at a rate of 20,8%.
Coronavirus affects all sectors now and the television scene could not be an exception.
The two constant television values of the season
As soon as the news bulletins are over, another battle begins. The one between the kitchens and the bees. Are you confused? Things are simple. The winners of the season in prime time so far are two. Star Channel's "MasterChef" cooking contest and Ant1 season series "Wild Bees». These two programs have attracted the interest of the public and their confrontation for the first place of the TV table in their projection zone is ambiguous as it ends when one program is first, when the other. The coronavirus may have brought ups and downs in the daily lives of viewers, but it can not "put in the oven" the MasterChef nor to survive in "Transparency".
How the coronavirus affected the stations
With people anxious for him coronavirus, TV stations began to move at the pace of… Extraordinary programs dedicated to the coronavirus made their appearance in the programming of the channels while most of the news was and is… dedicated to him with detailed reports.
However, the coronavirus also showed its teeth in television productions. Impressive shows and shows based on the presence of the audience in the studio are now "behind closed doors". "Your Face Sounds Familiar", "Just The 2 of Us", "Kalo Mesimeraki" and "Alithies me ti Zina" are four of the programs for which Ant1, Open, SKAI and Star Channel respectively decided to be absent to prevent both the transmission of the virus and to protect the workers themselves.
Suspended its activities which provide for the presence of the public for fifteen days and the ERT. However, ERT 2 also showed quick reflexes. With the announcement that school units lock as a precaution for 14 days ERT2 proceeded to modify its program as it expanded the children's zone. After all, young students who will stay at home should be busy and have a good time.
The managers of the stations have already taken all the necessary measures to protect their employees and their television products. Particularly increased precautionary measures have been taken at the point where the heart of the television stations beats, that is, in the so-called flow. Now only those who have a job enter the section of the flow of the channels, while the useless movements have been prohibited as a precaution, as well as the entry of those who are not necessary.