Actually, since 1999,
SVT has eight
channels, and then I'm
not counting SVT Europa. Of these eight, six are
digital; and of these six, five are
regional.
SVT1 and
SVT2 are the "good" old channels that have been
around since 1969,
although they are now
offered both digitally and
analogue.
SVT24 is the one non-regional digital-only channel that they have. It consists of nothing but news 24 hours a day, and no one ever watches it. The reason is that no one has a digital decoder, and those few who have one won't waste it on news that are better delievered on EuroNews.
SVT also have five digital regional channels. These are SVT Syd (in the south of Sweden), SVT Väst (in the west), SVT Östnytt 24 timmar (in the southeast), SVT Mälarkanalen (in Stockholm) and SVT Mitt (in the central parts of the country).
All of these five are broadcasted through the digital terrestrial network only; SVT24 is broadcasted through digital terrestrial network, digital satellite transmissions and digitally through cable.
SVT Europa, which is transmitted only outside of Sweden, is transmitted digitally via satellite.
Sveriges Television started in 1956 and is funded through license fees, advertising is not allowed (with the exception of sponsorship during major sport events).
Also, to clear up a common misconception: SVT is not government or state owned. It's a limited company owned by a foundation, which is supposed to keep it free from both state and commercial interests. It is however a fact that SVT is in part controlled by the state, since it's in full financed by a de facto tax (the "license fees for ownership of a television set"), which is set yearly by the government. Also, the board of directors for the foundation has very rarely included an individual who wasn't a politician (either a member of parliament, or a politician on a slightly lower level).