TVNorge is a Norwegiantelevision channel. TVNorge went on the air on 5 December 1988 and was the first advertising-supported Norwegian channel. The channel was started with 50 000NOK. The first broadcast was a live variety show from Oslo Cabaret with Swedish singer Lill-Babs and Norwegian pop group Tomboy as musical guests. Originally TVNorge broadcast via satellite and cable, later they have affiliated several local television broadcasters. The local broadcasters generally were allowed the 17.30-18.30 timeslot for local programming, along with a second slot from 19.30-20.30. The rest of the time was assigned to TVNorge's own schedule. When the last analogue terrestrial television transmitterclosed in December 2009, the agreement with the local broadcasters and TVNorge ended. TVNorge now broadcasts via private cable and satellite providers in addition to RiksTV, which is the Norwegian digital terrestrial television distributor. TVNorge and the rest of the SBS Broadcasting group was wholly owned by ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, but was sold to Discovery Communications on 14 December 2012. In 2003, Novell sued TVNorge at The Court of Enforcement and asked for a temporary injunction against TVNorge as they found the logo too similar to their own. Novell did not seem to proceed to a full court case after losing their case there. In 2013, the variety group Ylvis created a promo music video for their program on TVNorge entitled The Fox, which became a surprise internet hit and brought international attention to the channel. As of 2018, TVNorge is also involved in broadcasting the Olympic Games alongside sister network Eurosport.
TVNorge launched Norway's first High Definition simulcast on their main channel on 3 October 2008, and starting 2009 TVNorge will also be broadcasting own productions in HD. The first episodes shown in HD was the HBO series Rome, and the channel has included several other imported series like ', ', and The Big Bang Theory. The HD station has the same schedule as the SD station. Broadcasts not available in high definition will be broadcast in standard definition.
