Chris Dziadul, January 9, 2025
Euronews returns in Polish
A Polish version of the TV channel Euronews will launch on January 15. A Polish language online version (pl.euronews.com) and mobile app, in the latter instance since January 7, are already available in the country. Significantly, a Polish language version of Euronews was launched in July 2011 but closed not long afterwards. The new service will be headed by Pawel Blajer and Agnieszka Laskowska and distributed by cable and satellite. Its launch coincides with the start of Poland’s six-month presidency of the European Union.
Czech streamer gains viewers
The Czech streaming platform prima+ was used by more than one million people in 2024. Furthermore, according to its operator Prima Group, the number of non-paying users increased last year while the number of paying customers was double the total in 2023. Meanwhile, the most successful programme last year on prima+ was Traitors. In 2024, Prima Group, which also operates a national commercial TV station and portfolio of thematic channels, achieved a daily share of 26.83% in its target 15+ age group.
Polsat secures licence renewals
Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) has renewed the licences of the thematic channels Polsat Sport 2 and Polsat Play, both of which are operated by Telewizja Polsat. The extensions are for a period of 10 years and apply to satellite distribution. Polsat Sport 2, formerly known as Polsat Sport Extra, is a specialised sports channel while Polsat Play is an entertainment-based channel aimed at adult viewers.
m:tel launches ON TV
The Bosnian telco m:tel Banja Luka has launched an advanced IPTV and OTT service named ON TV in partnership with 24i and Strong. The former is providing its pay-TV solution and latter its Android TV Operator Tier set-top boxes (STBs). M:tel Banja Luka is one of the leading telcos in Bosnia & Herzegovina and 65% owned by Telekom Srbija.
Vivacom viewing boost in Bulgaria
A total of 67 million hours of movies, series and shows were viewed on Vivacom’s new generation pay-TV platform Eon in December 2024. This, according to the United Group-owned Bulgarian company, was 24 million hours more than in the corresponding month a year earlier. Viewers especially appreciated the Eon video library, with the time spent watching content increasing by 62% to 1.1 million hours in December. Furthermore, Vivacom’s own TV channel Vivacom Arena recorded an almost double increase in content watched last month, up to 613,000 hours.
5G push for Telekom Srbija
Telekom Srbija plans to introduce a 5G network in Serbia in the middle of this year. Speaking to the local press, its CEO Vladimir Lučić added that it would soon be functioning in all the country’s major cities. He also said that a “diplomatic offensive” is currently underway to secure a 5G licence for Kosovo and Metohija. Reflecting on 2024, Lučić said the company achieved record sales growth of more than 20% and is now present in 12 countries. This year, its growth efforts outside Serbia will primarily be focused on Germany and the US.
MWE Networks hires Krzysztof Górski
Krzysztof Górski has been appointed the director of purchasing and management of programming at Poland’s MWE Networks, effective this month. He has previously held positions at Telewizja WP, A+E Networks and Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN).
Martón Lennert now at Network4 Media Group
Network4 Media Group has chosen Martón Lennert as its new commercial director. In his new role, effective January 1, his main responsibilities will be to further boost the company’s increasing revenues, drive product development and extend international presence by leading marketing, sales and digital areas in the management board. Luxembourg-based Network4 Media Group is a key player in Hungary’s TV industry, operating seven linear TV channels and a streaming platform named Net4+. Lennert was most recently at Vodafone Ireland and Vodafone Hungary.
Sangerim Zhakhina joins Kanal D International
Sangerim Zhakhina has been appointed the sales manager for Russia and the CIS region at Kanal D International. She was most recently the sales and business development manager – Asia & CIS at MediaHub, prior to which she held positions at Kazakhstan Republic Radio and TV Radio Corporation, Channel 31 and Astana TV Channel.
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