CEE TV industry news stories

December 8, 2023

Vivacom and Eutelsat launch ground station

United Group’s Vivacom and Eutelsat have announced the commercial launch of their ground station in Bulgaria. Implemented in Stara Zagora and with Class C certification, it consists of 18 antennas and a mini data centre.

Nielsen secures Croatian contract

Nielsen has been awarded the TV audience measurement contract for Croatia by the country’s TV Joint Industry Committee (UMTG). It starts in January 2025 for an initial three years, with the possibility of a three-year extension.

Bulsatcom sale wins approval

The Bulgarian anti-monopoly commission CPC has allowed Vivacom to acquire Bulsatcom’s infrastructure. The deal, announced in 2022, is separate to Vivacom’s recently announced plans to buy Bulsatcom for an undisclosed fee.

Poland investigates streaming services

The Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) is currently investigating changes in subscription terms to a number of streaming services including Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max. It has already concluded a probe into Amazon, which agreed to change its practices.

Czech teleshopping channel licensed

A new teleshopping channel named Hit TV will shortly make its debut in the Czech Republic. Operated by THETOPMERCH, it will be on air for 16-24 hours daily and distributed nationally via DVB-T2.

OTT Franchise for aspiring streamers

SWEET.TV has unveiled OTT Franchise, a comprehensive business model that offers a ready-made solution for those aiming to enter the world of streaming services. It combines advanced technology, content acquisition strategies and operational support.

Czechs open to ad-funded VOD

Almost 60% of Czechs using VOD services are open to ad-supported content. However, according to the Atmedia Index, a significant portion are expecting a subscription discount of up to 75% or more.

Poland awards channel licences

The Polish regulator KRRiT has awarded satellite licences to three TV channels. Valid for 10 years, they are operated by Polsat (Polsat Music), Canal+ (MiniMini+) and Michal Winnicki (Adventure).

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By Chris Dziadul