The company's roots date back to the 1930s, when Greece's National Radio Foundation was set up.
The many decades of history behind ERT have made it a well-established national institution respected by many.
It began airing television programmes in the 1960s, remaining the country's only TV broadcaster until the advent of private TV channels in 1989. Since then, ERT has undergone several major overhauls to keep up with fierce private competition.
These efforts were not entirely successful, and a fall in the company's ratings in the mid-1990s triggered a long-running debate about its cost and efficiency.
Eighty per cent of the company's funding came from a licence fee included in electricity bills, and some of it was sourced from advertising revenue.
Many Greeks objected to funding ERT through the licence fee, claiming that the company was too unpopular and too expensive. The broadcaster was also criticised for its openly pro-government reporting, especially since the start of the financial crisis in 2009.
At the time of closing, ERT operated three main TV channels and more than a dozen national and local radio stations. ERT World TV catered for the Greek diaspora across the globe.
The company's programming included news as well as factual and entertainment programmes. It claimed to broadcast more highbrow programmes - such as world cinema and documentaries - compared to the generally more light-hearted entertainment offered by its privately-owned rivals.
The company's audience share in 2013 was relatively low at below 20%, with most Greeks preferring commercial broadcasters.
The government's surprise decision to shut down ERT was, however, met with fierce criticism from the public. Even though most agreed that a restructuring and cost-savings were required at the company, its immediate closure was branded "dictatorial" by some.
While most Greeks will continue getting their news and entertainment from private TV and radio stations, those in the east and some islands - where signal coverage is poor - may have to rely on Turkish broadcasters across the border.
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There will be 50,459 performances of 3,314 shows from 49 countries in 313 venues during August.
The Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world and has been held in the city every August since 1947.
Its programme includes theatre, dance, circus, comedy, music, musicals, opera, cabaret and variety, children's shows, exhibitions, events and spoken word.
Fourteen new venues will host shows this year and overall there is a 3.8% increase on last year's programme.
Kath M Mainland, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: "Every year we think we know what it's going to deliver, but every year it surprises, delights, amazes and inspires. The Fringe is a festival like no other."
She said the festival, which runs from 7 to 31 August, was "completely open access", where artists don't need to wait for an invitation to take part.
"There's no curator, no vetting, no barriers," Ms Mainland said. "Just incredible talent from almost 50 countries all over the world."
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Scottish government cabinet secretary for culture, Europe and external affairs, said: "This year's programme shows once again why the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the most important events in the international cultural calendar."
This year, 21 shows will be part of the Made in Scotland programme, a curated showcase of music, theatre and dance, made and produced in Scotland.
Well-known comedians putting on shows at the festival this year include Jo Brand, Ed Byrne, Sue Perkins, Fred MacAulay, Patrick Kielty, Paul Merton, Alan Davies, Trevor Noah, Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Thomas and Reginald D Hunter.
There will also be 250 street performances each day on the Royal Mile and The Mound.
On 11 June, the government in Athens unexpectedly announced it was suspending the country's Radio and Television Company, abbreviated to ERT in Greek, as part of drastic budget cuts.
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Edinburgh Festival Fringe has announced its biggest ever line-up for this summer.