Augsburg TV (also known as a.tv) is a private regional television station serving Bavaria’s third-largest metropolitan area. Licensed to cover Swabia and parts of Central Franconia, this Augsburg-based broadcaster has established itself as a vital source of hyper-local content since its 1998 launch. Operating under the motto “Nah dran” (“Close by”), the channel reaches approximately 1.8 million potential viewers across its 60 km broadcast radius.
Technical Specifications & Availability
Broadcast Details:
- Terrestrial: Channel 22 on DVB-T2 (Augsburg transmitter)
- Cable: Unitymedia Channel 8, Kabel Deutschland Channel 12
- Satellite: Limited coverage via Astra 19.2°E
- Streaming: 24/7 live stream with 7-day catch-up service
Technical Infrastructure:
- Main studio complex at Augsburg’s Medienpark
- Three mobile production units (including 4K-capable OB van)
- Automated playout system with redundant backup
- Integrated newsroom system (Octopus NRCS)
Programming Structure
Augsburg TV broadcasts 18 hours daily (6:00-24:00) with this optimized schedule:
Morning (6:00-9:00):
- “Guten Morgen Schwaben” – Flagship breakfast show
- Local traffic cameras with AI-assisted reporting
- Business news from Augsburg Chamber of Commerce
Daytime (9:00-16:00):
- Repeat broadcasts of prime shows
- Municipal council live streams
- Educational content from Universität Augsburg
Prime Time (16:00-23:00):
- “Schwaben aktuell” (18:30) – Award-winning regional newscast
- Original productions like “Die Altstadt-Docs” (historic preservation series)
- FC Augsburg match replays with expert analysis
Weekly Highlights:
- “Kulinarisches Schwaben” (Thursdays) – Food/travel show
- “Schwäbisch g’schwätzt” (Fridays) – Dialect comedy
- “Weekend Magazin” (Saturdays) – Lifestyle/culture
News Operations
Augsburg TV maintains Bavaria’s largest regional news team outside Munich:
- 34 accredited journalists
- 12 camera crews
- 7 dedicated municipal reporters
- AI-powered traffic monitoring system
Notable Journalism Awards:
- 2023 Bavarian Media Prize for investigative series on housing crisis
- 2021 German Regional TV Award for pandemic coverage
- Multiple “Bayerischer Fernsehpreis” nominations
Cultural Programming
Augsburg TV serves as cultural custodian for Swabia:
- Annual 12-hour “Augsburger Hohes Friedensfest” live broadcast
- “Barock erleben” series featuring Fuggerei and Mozarthaus
- Weekly dialect news bulletin “Näheres aus dr Region”
- Co-productions with Brecht Festival and Augsburger Puppenkiste
Sports Coverage
The channel holds exclusive regional rights to:
- FC Augsburg II matches
- Schwaben Cup football tournament
- Augsburg EV ice hockey
- Unique coverage of traditional sports like “Fingerhakeln” (Bavarian finger wrestling)
Educational Initiatives
In partnership with the Bavarian Ministry of Education:
- “Schule macht Fernsehen” – Student-produced content
- Vocational training series “Lehrstelle gesucht?”
- University lecture series “Wissen für Alle”
Digital Innovation
Augsburg TV leads in regional media tech:
- Augmented reality weather forecasts
- Interactive municipal meeting coverage
- AI-generated personalized news briefings
- Experimental 5G broadcasts at Augsburg University
Economic Model
Revenue streams (2023 figures):
- 55% spot advertising
- 20% public funding (Bavarian Media Support Fund)
- 15% program syndication to other Bavarian stations
- 10% sponsored content/partnerships
Audience Metrics
- 310,000 daily viewers (2024 Q1 average)
- 43% market share in core Augsburg area
- Strong 25-54 demographic performance
- Streaming accounts for 28% of total viewership
Community Impact
- Annual “Bürgerreporter” awards for citizen journalism
- Free airtime for 120+ local nonprofits yearly
- Emergency broadcast system integration
- Media literacy workshops reaching 5,000 students annually
Regulatory Compliance
Licensed through:
- Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien (BLM)
- German Interstate Broadcasting Treaty
- European AVMS Directive
Future Developments
- Planned 4K HDR studio upgrade (2025)
- Expansion into neighboring Allgäu region
- Interactive ad platform development
- Enhanced OTT services for expat communities
Conclusion
Augsburg TV exemplifies successful regional broadcasting, blending Swabian cultural identity with cutting-edge journalism. Its unique positioning between Munich and Stuttgart markets allows for distinctive content that resonates deeply with local audiences while meeting modern media consumption demands. The station’s commitment to technological innovation ensures its continued relevance in Bavaria’s evolving media landscape.
