The production team behind Greek satirical show Radio Arvyla has terminated discussions with network ANT1, ending its long-standing broadcast partnership over principle.
The announcement was issued on Wednesday morning, October 7, 2026, by host and creator Antonis Kanakis through his production firm Tony Productions.
In a statement released by Tony Productions, the Radio Arvyla team announced that following the expiration of their agreement at the end of June, they had reached the final decision not to renew their collaboration with Antenna. The production company stated that the team was departing from a relationship spanning nearly 30 years exclusively and solely for reasons of principle. The release added that the team warmly thanked Antenna and the staff with whom they worked closely over the decades, wishing them the very best for the future.
According to reliable sources, ANT1 executives have not yet decided whether the network will issue an official statement or proceed without commenting publicly on the split.
Contract negotiations and financial differences
The non-renewal did not come as a sudden surprise following months of negotiations between ANT1 and Kanakis. The talks had been marked by delays and minor leaks concerning financial disagreements and other unresolved matters.
Industry observers noted that previous departure announcements issued by the Radio Arvyla team have similarly included sharp underlying criticisms of television station management.
Previous breakdown and 2018 departure from ANT1
The decision marks the second major rupture between the comedy show and ANT1, following an earlier split in October 2018. At that time, rumors of tension had circulated since September over premiere delays and public statements by network executives and presenters.
Station figures had publicly attributed show cancellations and strict oversight of ANT1's late-night programming slot to Kanakis. Presenter Giorgos Liagas engaged in a direct dispute with Kanakis at the network's Marousi headquarters, claiming that the Radio Arvyla creator was heavily responsible for the sudden cancellation of Liagas's late-night show.
Kanakis denied the claims and published a detailed letter clarifying his position. In the letter, Kanakis rejected what he described as a bizarre rumor assigning him network decisions that could not have been his. He stated that those choices were made and announced directly by ANT1, adding that the network failed to clarify its own responsibility and contributed to enlarging the false rumor.
ANT1 declined to address the presenter's accusations directly at the time, issuing only a brief statement thanking him for 21 years of collaboration before relations between the two sides broke down completely.
Move to SKAI and transition through OPEN TV
Following the 2018 departure, Radio Arvyla and companion show Vinylio signed a deal with rival broadcaster SKAI in December 2018. The contract was set to run through June 2020, with the team returning to air in February 2019 to occupy the late-night slot on Mondays and Tuesdays.
After the summer break, an autumn premiere was scheduled for late October or early November. A temporary delay occurred while Kanakis awaited the birth of his second child, but repeated postponements sparked fresh speculation regarding internal disagreements.
While both parties initially denied any conflict, Radio Arvyla announced on Tuesday afternoon, January 21, 2020, via social media that it was severing ties with SKAI. Surprised network executives declined to issue a formal press release.
SKAI officials stated privately that Kanakis had placed himself outside the station. Network representatives stated that SKAI had strictly honored all contractual commitments while Kanakis had failed to fulfill his, citing ongoing delays and unreasonable demands prior to his announcement.
The production team subsequently joined OPEN TV, broadcasting Radio Arvyla on the network for a single television season.
Return to Antenna and final termination
On November 8, 2021, Kanakis and his team officially returned to ANT1 with a premiere that generated substantial public anticipation.
The renewed relationship between the satirical team and the network came to a permanent end on October 7, 2026.
