Chris Dziadul, January 23, 2025
Streaming surge in Poland
Viewership of streaming services on TV in Poland increased significantly last month. According to Nielsen’s The Gauge, its share rose to 9.5%, up from 9.1% in November and 7.1% in December 2023. YouTube and Netflix led the way, increasing their shares to 2.3% and 2.2% respectively, while Canal+ Online (+25% AMR- average daily viewing) and SkyShowtime (+16%) also posted increases. Viewing of traditional TV services also increased last month, with the AMR being 3.3% higher than in November. All told, Poles spent an average of four hours and 12 minutes a day in front of their TV screens, or eight minutes more than the previous month.
United Group moves into energy production
United Group has decided to enter the renewable energy sector by investing €120 million in four renewable energy projects in Bulgaria. Its investment will see the creation of three photovoltaic power plants and one wind farm. According to its CEO Viktoria Boklag, by 2027 it will be able to produce 160% of the total electricity consumed by its branches in Bulgaria, as well as 65% of the group's total needs at the regional level. United Group is the leading provider of telecommunications and media services in Southeastern Europe.
New sports channel for Slovakia
Slovakia’s Joj Group has launched a second proprietary sports channel. Known as Joj Šport 2, it officially made its debut on January 21. Alongside this, Joj Group has secured the broadcasting rights to the World Hockey Championship until 2034 and the 2026 football World Cup, which will take place in the US, Canada and Mexico. With Joj Šport 2, Joj Group now operates a total of 15 TV channels.
AMC Networks expands in Romania
The FilmMania TV channel, which is operated by AMC Networks International Central and Northern Europe (AMCNI-CNE), is now available to subscribers of Digi Romania. It has joined the AMCNI-CNE channels AMC, FilmCafe, JimJam, Minimax, TV Paprika and CBS Reality in the operator’s offer. The launch of FilmMania was based on in-depth audience research, carried out in collaboration with Inspira Research. The results revealed a strong appetite among Romanian moviegoers for more linear film television.
Ginta Salmane to head TV3 Group Latvia
Ginta Salmane has been appointed the COO at TV3 Group Latvia and will gradually take over the responsibilities of the group’s former head Mindaugas Rakauskas. Starting April 1, Rakauskas will become the head of Bite Latvija. Salmane has been at TV3 Group Latvia since October 2013 and was most recently director of commercial operations at the company.
New role for Dirk Gerkens
The senior TV industry executive Dirk Gerkens has been appointed the president of the French football club Valenciennes (VAFC). Gerkens was previously the CEO of Hungary’s two leading commercial broadcasters RTL and TV2 and will retain his current positions at United Media (director for programming, production and advertising sales and board member).
Ryszard Sibilski passes
The death has been announced of Polish TV producer Ryszard Sibilski. He was a joint founder of the national commercial broadcaster TVN and a board member of ITI Group. He also headed Endemol Shine Polska and was most recently the MD at the Polish production company Jake Vision.
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© Chris Dziadul, 2025
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