Today the CyBC is a large semi-government organisation employing well over 400 permanent staff and as many associates. In 1991, soon after legislation was passed opening the door to private radio and television we launched our 2nd TV channel, and adopted a new corporate identity to reflect our image as a modern organisation, adapting to and accepting plurality in mass communications, revising commercial policy in the face of increasingly fierce competition, but adhering to our fundamental role as a responsible public broadcaster. The CyBC has been a regular contributor to the CNN World Report since its inception in the late '80s and in 1993 became a founding member of the European television news channel, Euronews, to which we send regular programme contributions. The CyBC was first linked to the Eurovision satellite in 1980 for live transmission from the Hague of the Eurovision Song Contest, to which we now send a participant every year. We also broadcast via satellite and take part in the Eurovision Young Musicians' and Young Dancers' Contests.
Satellite is a lifeline to newsroom throughout the world.
The CyBC newsroom takes daily feeds from the EBU for foreign stories to fill six television news bulletins a day, including the main half hour bulletin of the evening. Foreign news agencies and film crews are frequent visitors to the CyBC for satellite feeds and links all over the world. Live television and radio programs are an important part of the CyBC's contribution to the Cypriot public, from current affairs programs and talk shows with public phone-ins, to variety and games shows. The Corporation actively supports and promotes local writers and composers by producing television drama and comedy. It also includes in its broadcasts public information films and commercials, produced in cooperation with various ministries and other government agencies.