HRT 3's original history began in 1989, when this channel was originally known as Z3 and later HTV Z3. It officially came on air on 1 March 1991,[1] but was taken off air on 16 September 1991, when its main transmitter, the Sljeme TV tower, was damaged in an air raid. On 7 November 1994, the channel came back on air, this time as HRT 3. The channel was shut down on 28 March 2004,[2] but this time with its frequency de-nationalized and out up for lease in a public tender (it has been used by RTL Televizija ever since).
The channel was later relaunched for the second time on 13 September 2012, but with a new emphasis on educational and documentary material, as well as showing classic films and series, with occasional art and independent films.[3] The channel is broadcast in MUX B on Croatian territory, via satellite Eutelsat 16A at frequency 10,721 GHz H 27,500th.