CEE TV industry news stories
- chrisdz3
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Chris Dziadul, April 24, 2025
Major advance for Polish satcoms
A new satellite communications operator has been launched in Poland. Known as ComStellation, its mission, in the face of regional challenges such as the situation in Ukraine, is to provide secure and reliable communication for the government, defence and strategic business sectors in Poland and throughout Europe. It offers modern Ku-band solutions and flexible Ka-band systems that provide full coverage and compliance with European security standards. ComStellation is headed by Robert Kroplewski (CEO) and Marcin Ornass-Kubacki (COO).
Czech authority launches investigation
The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (UOHS) has initiated administrative proceedings regarding the possible abuse of a dominant position by an unnamed Czech national commercial TV station. In a statement, it says that it sees a possible violation of competition rules in the area of granting licences for the distribution of television content by television channels, which could have harmed both consumers and distributors/operators of the retransmission. It adds that it is examining not only the distortion of competition on the Czech market but also trade between the Member States of the European Union.
TV Republika secures new licence
Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) has awarded TV Republika a satellite licence to operate a new channel named Republika Plus. Likely to be launched in the next few weeks, it may in due course also be distributed terrestrially on the multiplexes MUX-5 or MUX-8. Separately, the KRRiT has opened a public consultation into the development of MUX-5, with opinions and comments invited by May 23.
Stantchev leaves Hungary’s TV2
Pavel Stantchev, the CEO of Hungary’s TV2 Group, is leaving his position by mutual consent. After his departure, he will continue to support Planet TV as an advisor in addition to pursuing new opportunities. Stantchev has been replaced Vaszily Miklós, chairman of the board of directors of TV2, effective April 22. Stantchev became CEO of TV2 Group in May 2019, prior to which he held senior executive positions at – amongst others – France’s TF1, bTV and Nova (both Bulgaria) and HBO Romania. Whilst at TV2 Group, one of Hungary’s leading commercial broadcasters he strengthened the company’s market leadership and oversaw the acquisition of Slovenia’s Planet TV, which he also managed.
A1 Telekom Austria expands in Slovenia
A1 Slovenia, which is part of A1 Telekom Austria Group, has acquired a 100% stake in the telco Peter’s Teleurh for an undisclosed fee. With the transaction, A1 Slovenia will, in addition to the optical network in Ljubljana, also acquire networks in Kranj, Domžale and Trzin and their own data centre in Ljubljana.
Serbian station gives up licence
Serbia’s Informer TV has reportedly returned its broadcasting licence to the regulator REM. Informer TV received the licence, which covers Belgrade, last year and will continue to be distributed via cable.
Insys hires Leszek Bujak
Leszek Bujak has been appointed the regional sales manager at Poznań-based Insys Video Technologies, which is part of Austria’s ORS. He has previously held senior positions at several companies including Redge Technologies, ADB, SES Satellites and Astra.
Ukrainian pubcaster CEO re-elected
Mykola Chernotytskyi has been re-elected the CEO of the Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (Suspilne). He first took up the position in May 2021, prior to which he was a board member at the broadcaster for four years. Suspilne brings together a number of public service media outlets including the national TV channels Pershyi, Suspilne Kultura and Suspilne Sport.
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