Chris Dziadul, January 2, 2025
Skylink viewers set to lose Prima channels
Prima Group has warned Skylink subscribers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia they may soon lose access to its TV channels. This follows the expiry of a distribution agreement between the two companies at the end of 2024 and failure to reach a new deal. The agreement covered nine Prima channels in the Czech Republic and four in Slovakia.
TVN for sale
Warner Bros.Discovery has begun the process of selling its Polish broadcasting operation TVN Group, working with advisors at JPMorgan. The news was first reported by Reuters in late December and subsequently confirmed by TVN’s CEO Katarzyna Kieli. In a letter to employees, she said that “information regarding our business will be sent to potential investors.” TVN Warner Bros.Discovery is believed to be valued at $1 billion and any sale will have to be approved by the Polish government.
Russia Today launches Serbian TV channel
Russia Today (RT) has launched a 24-hour TV channel in the Serbian language. Produced in Belgrade, Moscow, Kosovska Mitrovica, Banja Luka, and Podgorica, RT Balkan is distributed by Iris TV and Telekom Srbija’s Supernova platform. RT Balkan has been operating as an online news site since November 2022.
Setanta Sports expands in Ukraine
Kyivstar TV has become the exclusive broadcaster of the new Setanta Sports Premium sports channel in Ukraine. As a result, the film and TV platform is now offering its viewers three Setanta Sports channels, namely Setanta Sports, Setanta Sports+ and Setanta Sports Premium. Setanta Sports Premium includes coverage of the Saudi Pro League, Belgian Championship, Bundesliga, Formula 1, UFC, ATP and WTA. All told, Kyivstar TV subscribers can watch a total of 35 sports channels.
Russian channels blocked on Telegram
Viewers in several EU countries can no longer watch the Russian TV channels Rossiya 1, Pervyi Kanal and NTV on the social media platform Telegram. According to several reports, the Russian newspapers Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta have also been blocked. At this stage it remains unclear if the ban, which has been confirmed in France, Poland, Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands and Italy, is effective throughout the EU. Russian authorities have threatened to retaliate against the ban.
Boost for Ukrainian OTT platforms
OTT platforms in Ukraine increased their audience to 2 million viewers in 2024 thanks to the help of the country’s anti-piracy association Clear Sky Initiative. This followed the regulator National Council banning more than Russian 200 services and sites in 2023, with more popular pirate streaming services added to the ban last year. The association also initiated a number of criminal proceedings against content thieves from different regions of Ukraine in 2023 and currently more than 40 criminal cases are pending in investigative bodies and courts.
Gazprom-Media secures World Cup rights
Gazprom-Media’s Match TV has secured exclusive rights in Russia for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. The finals will be held in the US, Mexico and Canada and the largest in the competition’s history, featuring 48 teams and a total of 104 matches, including the playoffs.
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© Chris Dziadul, 2025
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