Chris Dziadul, October 3, 2024
AMC Networks launches Hungarian streaming service
AMC Networks International Central and Northern Europe (AMCNI CNE) has entered into a strategic partnership with Hungary’s Magyar Telekom to launch its first streaming product in Central Europe. Known as SELEKT, it will offer 1,800 hours of content and be made available to the telco’s IPTV and Telekom TV tariff subscribers. In addition, AMCNI CNE has launched a taster streaming taster service named SELEKT Light and discontinued a service named AMC Mikro that it previously operated in Hungary.
Telekom Srbija to buy Mondo Inc
The Serbian incumbent Telekom Srbija is preparing to buy Mondo Inc, a Serbian company owned by the entrepreneur Igor Zezelj and whose interests include Mondo TV and the tabloid newspaper Kurir. According to local reports, Telekom Srbija has already received approval for the acquisition by the regulator in North Macedonia, where the telco owns a subsidiary named Mtel DOOEL Skopje.
Vodafone “reinvents” digital TV in Romania
Vodafone has announced two firsts in the Romanian telecom market, entering into a strategic and exclusive partnership with Disney+ and launching its Vodafone TV+ service. Vodafone customers who choose to receive Disney+ for at least 12 months can watch the streaming service free of charge for the first three months. Meanwhile, Vodafone TV+ offers subscribers over 100 TV channels and VOD content featuring movies, series and documentaries.
Succession dispute at Polsat
Zygmunt Solorz, the founder and majority owner of Poland’s Polsat, has reportedly withdrawn the transfer of his companies’ ownership upon his death to his three children. This follows a letter sent by the three children – Tobias Solorz, Piotr Zak and Aleksandra Zak – to the management of the companies (Cyfrowy Polsat, Telewizja Polsat, Polkomtel and Netia) asking them not to accept orders from “people who recent acquired powers”. The reports say they are referring to Justyna Kulka, who married Zygmunt Solorz a few months ago and has since secured several senior roles in Polsat’s management.
UPC enhances Slovak service
UPC Broadband Slovakia customers can now install Apple TV+ in their UPC Mini TV Box. The operator has also added 42 more TV channels to its seven-day catch-up service, bringing the total to 160, and introduced a 1.2 Gbps internet offer. The latter, which costs €19.90 a month, is initially available in Bratislava, Pezinok and Sväty Jur and will gradually be introduced in other towns and cities in UPC Broadband Slovakia’s footprint.
Dmitry Medvedev to head Rostelecom
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has been elected the chairman of the board of directors at Rostelecom. Medvedev is currently the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and the last directorships he held at a state-owned company was at Gazprom between 200-2001 and again from 2002-2008.
Czech Prima secures new channel licences
The Czech Radio and TV Council (RRTV) has awarded FTV Prima two licences to operate a new thematic channel named Prima Case. Valid for 12 years, the first is for internet distribution and second via digital terrestrial broadcasting (DVB-T2). Prima Case will be on air for 18-24 hours daily and focused on dramatic works, especially of non-European origin. FTV Prima already operates a national TV channel (Prima TV), growing portfolio of thematic channels and streaming service named Prima+.
Duo Media channels to stay FTA
The Duo Media channels Kino 7, MyHits TV, Kanal 2, Duo 4, Duo 5 and Kanal 7 will remain free-to-air (FTA) services in Estonia until the end of this year. The channels are distributed by Levira, as are the FTA services ETV, ETV2, ETV+, TVP World, Current Time, Ukraina24, Euronews and France 24. Levira has also finished Ultra HD transmissions of the channels Museum TV and MyZen TV, declaring them to be a success.
Barrandov TV hires Roman Mrazek
The Czech Republic’s Barrandov TV has appointed Roman Mrazek its new programme director. Mrazek spent 14 years at the commercial broadcaster FTV Prima, where he was the programme director from August 2013 to September 2023.
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