TVP2 (TVP Dwa, Telewizja Polska 2, Program Drugi Telewizji Polskiej, "Dwójka") is a Polish public mainstream TV channel operated by TVP. Launched in October 1970, its varied line-up contains a variety of programming (documentary, history, talk-shows, game-shows) although it focuses on entertainment: stand up comedy, comic shows, cabaret, and themed talk shows (for example on travel or foreign cultures).
TVP2 is broadcast as part of the nationwide, unencrypted (free-to-air) third multiplex of digital terrestrial television (MUX 3). It is also available on all cable networks and satellite digital platforms in accordance with the so-called must-carry ruleâÂÂa provision in the Broadcasting and Television Act requiring every television operator to offer seven specific channels: TVP1, TVP2, and TVP3, as well as four commercial ones â TVN, Polsat, TV4, and TV Puls.
TVP2 can also be watched for free online through services such as TVP VOD and TVP GO.
History
Beginnings
Program Two underwent many transformations over the years. On 2 October 1970, when the second channel of Telewizja Polska began broadcasting, the chairman of the Radio and Television Committee, WÃ
Âodzimierz Sokorski, declared in a ceremonial speech that the launch of the new program was an expression of "concern for the education and culture of the nation." At first, Dwójka (Channel Two) was an educational channel that mainly aired scientific and educational programs, including foreign language lessons; therefore, it also broadcast foreign films in their original versions as part of series such as Cinema in the Original Version (Kino wersji oryginalnej) or, somewhat later, The Polyglotsâ Cinema (Kino poliglotów). The aim was also to promote the achievements of theater, film, and quality entertainment.
Dwójka also broadcast thematic programming blocks devoted to countries of the "peopleâÂÂs democracies," such as Czechoslovakia Day (DzieÃ
 CzechosÃ
Âowacji w TP) or Yugoslavia Day (DzieÃ
 JugosÃ
Âawii w TVP), which featured documentaries, feature films, and entertainment programs from those nations. However, some Western countries were also presented, for example, French Day (DzieÃ
 francuski) and Austrian Day (DzieÃ
 austriacki). During that period, rerun blocks such as Studio Bis and LetâÂÂs Meet Once Again (Spotkajmy siàraz jeszcze) were also aired. In May 1971, it held the French and Japanese Days.
On Christmas, Easter, as well as on New YearâÂÂs Eve and New YearâÂÂs Day, Dwójka prepared special film blocks such as Classics of Literature on Screen (Klasycy literatury na ekranie), Film Adaptations of World Literature (Adaptacje filmowe literatury Ã
Âwiatowej), New YearâÂÂs Eve Cocktail (Sylwestrowy cocktail), New YearâÂÂs Relaxation (Noworoczny relaks), and other programs dedicated to the work of a single artist, such as AuthorâÂÂs Day... (DzieÃ
 autorski...). Throughout the entire 1970s, the channel did not yet have a distinct identity separate from Jedynka (Channel One). The same announcers presented both channels, and the old graphic design and style of the program were almost identical.
The new face of the channel after martial law
After the final lifting of martial law in 1983 and the resumption of regular broadcasting, efforts began to shape Dwójka into a channel with its own, more distinct identity that could significantly diversify the overall programming offer. Initially, the focus was placed mainly on documentary series about prominent artistsâÂÂespecially writers (the Great Writers (Wielcy pisarze) series)âÂÂas well as travel series and cycles dedicated to masterpieces of world cinema, both in the form of auteur series (e.g., films by Woody Allen, Ingmar Bergman) and thematic series (e.g., Cinema of Latin America (Kino Ameryki Ã
ÂaciÃ
Âskiej).
When Zbigniew NapieraÃ
Âa became the director of Dwójka, more programs devoted to classical music appeared on air, which at that time accounted for as much as 11% of the broadcasting schedule. Dwójka gained a new "face" under the direction of Józef WÃÂgrzyn, who decided to introduce more entertainment and current affairs programs (one of his ideas was Panorama dnia), as well as an original announcerâÂÂs studio and a completely new team of hosts-presenters. It was during this period that figures such as Iwona Kubicz, Jolanta Fajkowska, and GraÃ
¼yna Torbicka made their debuts on Dwójka. More and more interesting programs were broadcast, and films were scheduled so that their airtime would not overlap with those on Jedynka (Channel One).
After 1989
TP2 became TVP2 in 1992, at the time Poland was opening up to capitalism and began adapting international game show formats, such as KoÃ
Âo Fortuny and Familiada.
Today, Dwójka is a television channel with a very diverse program lineup. Despite this variety, in recent years entertainment has dominated its schedule, although various cultural programs have also appeared. In the spring of 2016, during the tenure of Maciej Chmiel, Dwójka briefly introduced new cultural programs such as Breakfast on the Grass (Ã
Âniadanie na trawie), educational programs like Wild Music (Dzika muzyka), and a show inspired by the traditions of literary cabaret â The Comedy Stage of Channel Two (Komediowa Scena Dwójki).
On 7 March 2003, the channel introduced its current logo (the 2 introduced in 2000 was made upright and orange became the channel's signature color).
In March 2016, TVP2 aired the premiere episodes of Sonda 2 â a popular science program that continued the cult television series from the 1970s. The host of Sonda 2 was Dr. Tomasz RoÃ
¼ek. The program was moved to TVP1 in the autumn of 2017, where it was broadcast until 2018.
Timetable
- 2 October 1970, 6:55 p.m. â The broadcast of Telewizja PolskaâÂÂs Second Channel began. Dwójka launched with an inaugural speech by the chairman of the Radio and Television Committee, WÃ
Âodzimierz Sokorski, who declared that Program II was being launched as an expression of "concern for the education and culture of the nation." Immediately after his speech, A Feature from the Future featuring StanisÃ
Âaw Lem was aired. Dwójka was intended as an educational channel, initially broadcasting five days a week with a predominance of educational and scientific programs, including foreign language lessons. It was also meant to popularize achievements in theater, film, and quality entertainment. At first, Dwójka was available only to viewers in Warsaw, Ã
ÂódÃ
º, Katowice, and Kraków, broadcasting five days a week from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- 18 March 1971 â After several years of experimental broadcasts, half-hour color programs began airing once a week (every Thursday).
- 22 July 1971 â The first color theatrical performance was broadcast: an adaptation of Anton ChekhovâÂÂs On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco (O szkodliwoÃ
Âci palenia tytoniu), directed by Jerzy Antczak.
- 6 December 1971 â Daily color transmissions began, featuring live coverage from the congress of the Polish United Workersâ Party (PZPR).
- 1973 â Dwójka began airing Gallery of 33 Million (Galerii 33 milionów), a series on contemporary art created and hosted by Franciszek Kuduk. Each episode focused on a prominent Polish artist, such as Stefan Gierowski, CzesÃ
Âaw RzepiÃ
Âski, Edward Dwurnik, ZdzisÃ
Âaw BeksiÃ
Âski, WÃ
ÂadysÃ
Âaw Hasior, and MieczysÃ
Âaw Wejman. The series was filmed in artistsâ studios, allowing for direct conversations and art presentations. The show earned high praise from both viewers and critics, greatly contributing to the popularization of visual arts in Poland. It continued for 20 years under various titles, later known as Gallery of 38 Million (Galeria 38 milionów).
- 4 February 1974 â Program Two began daily broadcasting.
- 30 November 1974 â The legendary entertainment show Studio 2, conceived by Mariusz Walter, premiered. It was a variety show featuring popular stars and quickly moved to TVP1. After the end of Edward GierekâÂÂs era and televisionâÂÂs "golden age," Studio 2 returned to Dwójka as a more modest weekend program block.
- 13 December 1981 â Broadcasting of Dwójka was suspended due to the introduction of martial law.
- 8 February 1982 â Broadcasting resumed. Alongside the local program and Television News Journal (Dziennik Telewizyjny), Dwójka aired In the Old Cinema (W starym kinie).
- February 1982 â Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences could now watch the main edition of Dziennik Telewizyjny with a sign language interpreter. The program aired on weekends until 1987, with over 500 editions produced for the hearing impaired.
- July 1 â 23 December 1983 â Another suspension of broadcasting; initially on all days, and later (from 1 October) only on weekends.
- 1985 â Premiere of the journalistic program Reportersâ Express (Ekspresu reporterów), edited by Blanka Danilewicz.
- 15 October 1986 â First episode of the Crime Magazine 997 (Magazynu Kryminalnego 997), hosted by MichaÃ
 Fajbusiewicz.
- 30 March 1987, 9:30 p.m. â First edition of DwójkaâÂÂs daily news program Panorama dnia.
- 9 August 1987 â Premiere of The Homeland of the Polish Language (Ojczyzny polszczyzny), hosted by Professor Jan Miodek (aired until 2007).
- 1988 â Premiere of Closer to the World (BliÃ
¼ej Ã
Âwiata), an 85-minute weekly news magazine presenting global highlights using satellite footage and commentary from foreign correspondents based in Poland (aired until 1991).
- 1988âÂÂ1994 â Broadcast of the satirical program To Be Continued... ( by Wojciech Mann and Krzysztof Materna.
- 1988âÂÂ1992 â Broadcast of the talk show 100 Questions for... (100 pytaÃ
 do...) (later moved to TVP1 from 1992 to 1995).
- 30 December 1988 â Premiere of PolandâÂÂs first soap opera, In the Labyrinth (W labiryncie), aired until 1990.
- 26 October 1989 â Premiere of Pearls from the Attic (PerÃ
Ây z lamusa), a program featuring classic films preceded by commentary from Zygmunt KaÃ
ÂuÃ
¼yÃ
Âski and Tomasz Raczek (aired until 1999).
- 2 September 1991 â First edition of Panorama.
- 20 April 1992 â Premiere of the talk show Desert Island (Bezludna wyspa) hosted by Nina Terentiew (aired until 2006).
- 2 October 1992 â Premiere of the game show Wheel of Fortune (KoÃ
Âo Fortuny) (aired 1992âÂÂ1998, 2007âÂÂ2009, and again since 2017).
- 1993 â Regular on-screen channel logo introduced.
- 14 November 1993 â Premiere of the talent show Chance for Success (Szansa na sukces) (aired until 2012 and revived in 2019).
- 1994âÂÂ2016 â Broadcast of GraÃ
¼yna TorbickaâÂÂs film art program I Love Cinema (Kocham kino).
- 1 January 1994 â Dwójka switched from the SECAM to PAL color broadcasting system.
- 3 June 1994 â Premiere of the quiz show One Out of Ten (Jeden z dziesiÃÂciu), hosted by Tadeusz Sznuk (later moved to TVP1 from 2018 to 2024).
- 17 September 1994 â Premiere of the game show Family Feud (Familiada), hosted by Karol Strasburger.
- 11 March 1995 â Premiere of the satirical program KOC â The Comical Cyclic Episode (Komiczny Odcinek Cykliczny), by Grzegorz Wasowski and SÃ
Âawomir SzczÃÂÃ
Âniak (aired until 2000).
- January 1997 â Together with TVP1, Dwójka began stereo sound broadcasting using the NICAM system.
- 15 June 1997 â Launch of a separate teletext service for TVP2 (previously, TVP1 and TVP2 shared the same teletext).
- 26 December 1997 â Premiere of the soap opera The ZÃ
Âotopolskis (ZÃ
Âotopolscy), aired until 2010.
- 12 September 1998 â Premiere of Robert MakÃ
ÂowiczâÂÂs culinary show, which continued under various titles until 2017, the last being MakÃ
Âowicz in Travel (MakÃ
Âowicz w podróÃ
¼y)
- 6 October 1999 â First edition of Reportersâ Express Magazine (Magazynu Ekspresu Reporterów) (moved to TVP1 in 2019).
- 7 November 1999 â Premiere of the medical soap opera For Better and for Worse (Na dobre i na zÃ
Âe).
- 23 January 2000 â Premiere of the sitcom Holy War (Ã
ÂwiÃÂta wojna), aired until 2008.
- 20 April 2000 â Change of logo: the thick white "2" was replaced by a slimmer, slightly italicized design.
- 4 November 2000 â Premiere of the soap opera L for Love (M jak miÃ
ÂoÃ
ÂÃÂ).
- 2 September 2002 â First edition of the morning show Question for Breakfast (Pytanie na Ã
Âniadanie).
- 7 March 2003 â Change of logo and graphic design, aligning with other Polish Television channels (the number "2" was accompanied by the new orange TVP logo).
- 12 October 2003 â Premiere of The Weekly of Moral Anxiety (Tygodnik Moralnego Niepokoju), aired until 2006.
- 15 December 2005 â Premiere of the crime drama Pitbull, aired until 2008.
- 2 September 2006 â Final episode of the game show The Great Game (Wielka gra).
- January 2007 â Studio Teatralne Dwójki, showcasing contemporary Polish drama, was removed from the schedule (briefly restored in 2014, then canceled again in 2017).
- 27 September 2007 â Premiere of the soap opera Colors of Happiness (Barwy szczÃÂÃ
Âcia).
- 7 September 2008 â Premiere of the historical-war drama Days of Honor (Czas honoru), aired until 2013.
- 26 September 2009 â Premiere of TVP2 Cabaret Club (Kabaretowy Klub Dwójki), aired until 2012.
- 18 November 2009 â Test broadcasts in widescreen 16:9 format.
- 27 October 2010 â Regular digital broadcasts of TVP1 and TVP2 in SD quality on the third multiplex of terrestrial digital television.
- 30 December 2010, 4:00 p.m. â Dwójka aired its last regional programming from Telewizja PolskaâÂÂs regional centers.
- 14 February 2011 â Panorama began regular widescreen broadcasting.
- 2 March 2011 â Premiere of the comedy series Rodzinka.pl, aired until 2020.
- 5 March 2011 â Premiere of the game show Bet on a Million (Postaw na milion), hosted by Ã
Âukasz Nowicki.
- 3 September 2011 â Premiere of the talent show The Voice of Poland.
- 14 December 2011 â Regular SD broadcasts of TVP1 and TVP2 began on the first multiplex of terrestrial digital television.
- 31 May 2012 â Launch of regular HD broadcasting under the name TVP2 HD.
- 1 March 2013 â Premiere of the live comedy show Thank God ItâÂÂs Weekend (DziÃÂki Bogu juÃ
¼ weekend), aired intermittently until 2016.
- 12 February 2014 â Premiere of the medical series Na sygnale (broadcast on TVP1 from 2021âÂÂ2022).
- 15 March 2014 â The SD version of TVP2 was replaced by Stopklatka TV on multiplex 1.
- 5 September 2014 â Premiere of the comedy-drama DonâÂÂt Worry About Me (O mnie siànie martw), aired until 2021.
- 7 April 2017 â The SD version of TVP2 ceased broadcasting on the Hot Bird satellite (13ð E).
- 3 September 2021 â 28 August 2023 â Change of logo and graphic design; however, the existing on-screen logo and website branding remained.
- 14 February 2022 â TVP2 became available for free through the TVP GO app on iOS and Android.
- July 25 â 18 November 2022 â Dwójka was available on TVPâÂÂs test multiplex in the DVB-T2/HEVC standard.
- 1 June 2023 â TVP2 became available for free on the TVP VOD website and app.
- 20 December 2023 â 10 January 2024 â Suspension of Panorama broadcasts due to changes in TVP leadership made by Minister of Culture and National Heritage BartÃ
Âomiej Sienkiewicz.
- 1 September 2024 â Final broadcast of Panorama on TVP2.
TVP2 HD
On 31 May 2012, digital terrestrial broadcasting of the TVP2 channel in HD standard under the name TVP2 HD began. However, the official launch date was 1 June 2012 with the coverage of the UEFA Euro 2012., when regular satellite broadcasting and cable television transmission also started. The program schedules of TVP2 and TVP2 HD are identical.
SD broadcasting via satellite (Eutelsat Hot Bird) stopped on 7 April 2017.
Current line-up
Morning show
- Pytanie na Ã
Âniadanie (A question for breakfast) (in 7:30-11:15 CET)
Polish series
Foreign series
Entertainment
Sports
Documentary series/Lifestyle programs
Culture
- Kultura, gÃ
Âupcze (Culture, stupid) - cultural talk show hosted by Kamil DÃÂ
browa
- Kocham Kino (I love movies) - movie magazine hosted by GraÃ
¼yna Torbicka
- WOK - Wszystko o Kulturze (Everything about the culture)
- Rozmowy po-szczególne
Primetime schedule
All times are CET.
Early fringe schedule
All times are CET.
NOTE: As of February 2024, Jeopardy! airs at 6:10 and not 6:20 PM. Panorama is moved for that reason.
Previously on TVP2
News shows
Polish series
- ZÃ
Âotopolscy (The ZÃ
Âotopolskis)
- Egzamin z Ã
¼ycia (Life Exam)
- Kopciuszek (Cinderella)
- Licencja na wychowanie (License for education)
- Apetyt na Ã
¼ycie (Appetite for life)
- U Pana Boga w ogródku (In the garden of God)
- Ja to mam szczÃÂÃ
Âcie (I am lucky enough to)
- GÃ
ÂÃÂboka woda (Deep water) - drama series (spring 2011, 2 seasons)
- Czas honoru (Time of honor) - war drama series (autumn 2008âÂÂ2014, 6 seasons)
Foreign series
Comedy series
- Aida
- WiadomoÃ
Âci z drugiej rÃÂki (News on the other hand)
- Codzienna 2 m. 3 (Everyday Lane 2/3)
- Lokatorzy (Lodgers)
- Ã
ÂwiÃÂta wojna (Holy War)
- O mnie siÃÂ nie martw (Don't Worry About Me)
Entertainment
- DuÃ
¼e dzieci (a programme in which young children discuss various topics: from politics to cuisine)
- Europa da siÃÂ lubiÃÂ (Europe's easy to like)
- Fabryka Ã
Âmiechu (Laughter factory)
- Mój pierwszy raz (My first time)
- Od przedszkola do Opola (a programme in which young children sing with professionals)
- Oto jest pytanie
- Gilotyna (Cresus)
- PodróÃ
¼e z Ã
¼artem (Travel with laughter) - a travel talk show
- 30 ton - lista, lista, lista przebojów - top 30 chart show
- Bezludna wyspa (talk show)
- Dubidu (music show)
- Spotkanie z balladÃÂ
- Tele PRLe
- Tygodnik Moralnego Niepokoju (TV show of Polish cabaret Kabaret Moralnego Niepokoju)
- Fort Boyard
- Szansa na sukces (Chance for success)
- Wideoteka dorosÃ
Âego czÃ
Âowieka (Human Adult Video Library) - programme about music from 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s
- Bitwa na gÃ
Âosy (Clash of the Choirs)
- Kabaretowy Klub Dwójki (Twos Comedy Club) - performances of the best Polish cabarets
- Kocham to, co lubiÃÂ (I love what I like) - satirical and cultural talk show hosted by Wojciech Mann
- DziÃÂki Bogu juÃ
¼ weekend (Thank God It's Weekend) - Polish cabarets
- SuperSTARcie (Polish version of Ultimate Entertainer)
- LatajÃÂ
cy Klub Dwójki (The Two's Flying Club) - Polish cabarets
- Paranienormalni Tonight - comedy talk show
- Wielka Gra (The $64,000 Question)
- Cudowne lata
Documentary/talk shows
- Tomasz Lis na Ã
¼ywo (2008-2016)
- Kochaj mnie
- Warto rozmawiaÃÂ - controversial talk show, accused of right-wing spinning (since March 2016 on TVP1)
- Magazyn Kryminalny 997
Children's shows
Anime
- ' (as PiotruÃ
 Pan)
- Princess Sara (as MaÃ
Âa KsiÃÂÃ
¼niczka)
Logos and identities
The first four identifiers were not used continuously during broadcasts. They appeared only during breaks, idents, and daily program summaries. It was only toward the end of 1991 that the station began test broadcasting with an on-screen logo (the fifth one at the time). During these tests, the size and position of the logo on the screen were adjusted. Regular broadcasts with a permanent on-screen logo (the sixth one) in the upper right corner began in mid-1993 (probably in June).
Additionally, the logo sometimes appeared in the upper left corner of the screen, such as during the quiz show Wielka gra, when a timer counting down the playerâÂÂs response time was shown on the right side, or during sports broadcasts (where the match score appeared on the right). Initially, the logo was also not displayed during news programs.
Commemorative on-screen logos
TVP2 HD
See also
Note
References
External links