Greek state TV closes to save money; 2,500 staff suspended until reopening

The cash-strapped Greek government is to temporarily shut down state-run television and radio to save money, despite fierce objections from unions.

A government spokesman said the TV and radio signals of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, ERT, would go dead early tomorrow.

Its 2,500 employees will be suspended until the company reopens “as soon as possible.” It was not immediately clear how long that would be.

He described ERT as a “haven of waste” and did not say how many employees would be rehired.

Unions representing ERT workers at three terrestrial TV stations, one satellite state and its radio network said they would keep the stations on the air.