Inside CEE Television
- chrisdz3
- Jul 17
- 5 min read
Chris Dziadul, July 17 2025
Online video now “mass entertainment activity” in CEE
The percentage of internet viewers who watch movies, series and other professional content online now stands at 87% in Poland. According to WPP Media’s latest VideoTrack study, this puts its ahead of three other leading markets in CEE, with Romania trailing in fourth place with a still impressive 78%. Other key findings of the study include that the majority – 90% in the case of Poland, followed by Hungary with 80% – use streaming platforms and that the use of torrents (33% of internet users) is still high in the Czech Republic. Significantly, pay-TV penetration remains high in all four markets – up to 90% in the case of Hungary and Romania – despite the growth of streaming and cord-cutting is practically non-existent. For an analysis on the study, please click on this link.
4iG acquisition of PR-Telecom gains approval
The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has approved the take-over of PR-Telecom by 4iG Group “under strict conditions”. In a statement, it says that the latter are “corrective measures to address (the) identified competition problems.” PR Telecom is a medium-sized cable operator providing triple play services to around 55,000 mostly residential customers in 270 settlements. GVH conducted an investigation in which it concluded that 4iG’s and PR-Telecom’s fixed-line networks overlap in 79 settlements, 56 of which would see a significant reduction in competition in fixed internet and TV broadcasting services following the transaction. In these areas, the parties’ combined market share would be exceptionally high, at over 50%. 4iG has promised to eliminate the expected harmful effects on competition by undertaking measures over a five-year period following the transaction.
Executive changes at Nova/CME
Jakub Folauf has, according to several local reports, been appointed the new marketing director at the Czech Republic’s Nova Group, effective August 1. He will replace Jakub Strýček, who will assume the newly created position of head of digital marketing at Central European Media Enterprises (CME), Nova Group’s parent company. Folauf joined Nova Group in 2021 and has held the position of CMO of Oneplay, the streaming service created by the merger of Voyo and O2 TV, since this April. Strýček also joined Nova Group in 2021, having previously been at the Czech Republic’s PPF Group.
HBO Max expands Baltics reach
Go3 has entered into a partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to bring HBO Max to the SVOD platform. As a result, Go3 will become the first TV provider in the Baltics to offer HBO Max content both via the HBO Max app and within its own TV service. HBO Max will be included with all Go3 subscriptions at no extra cost until January 2026.
Mixed picture in Czech power outage
There was a dramatic fall in TV viewing in some part of the Czech Republic during a blackout that took place between 12.00 and 15.00 on Friday, July 4. However, according to Atmedia, it was offset by growth in other regions. The most significant impact was felt in the Ústí nad Labem region, where live viewing fell by 80%. The Liberec region (-67%), Prague (-44%) and the Central Bohemian region (-40%) also recorded a significant drop, while at the other end of the scale the South Bohemian, Pilsen and Moravian regions saw growth of 28%, 27% and 23% respectively. Total live TV viewing over the three hours was 11% lower compared to the same period for the previous three Fridays. Meanwhile, full-day live viewership was only down by 4%.
Latvian government makes Telia decision
The Latvian government has decided that the state-owned companies Latvenergo and Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC) will be allowed to buy Telia’s shares in the telcos Tet and LMT. Although Telia has not responded to the news, Tet has expressed “satisfaction with the decision made after long discussions on the future of Tet and LMT.”
Al Jazerra Balkans to close
Al Jazeera Media Network has confirmed its decision to cease broadcasting Al Jazeera Balkans. In a statement, it adds that the decision is “part of a broader strategy to strengthen its digital presence and expand into new media platforms, ensuring Al Jazeera remains a leader in a rapidly evolving media landscape.” Al Jazeera Balkans was launched 14 years ago. Headquartered in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, it also had regional centres in Belgrade, Podgorica, Skopje and Zagreb.
Polish league goes on beIN Sports
Poland’s premier football league Ekstraklasa will now be distributed by beIN Sports. In the US, coverage will be offered in English and Spanish on beIN Sports, as well as on the streaming service beIn Sports Connect. The 2025-6 football season in Poland officially gets under way on July 18.
Starlight Media to partner with Maincast
Ukraine’s Starlight Media will be responsible for the distribution of Maincast’s new channel Maincast Sport TV when it launches this autumn. Starlight Media claimed a market-leading TV viewing share of 25.2% among the 18-54 age group last year, while Maincast is a Ukrainian esports company. Maincast Sport will show both national and international competitions that have not yet been broadcast on domestic channels.
TVP to digitise archive
Up to 2,100 archival productions by the Polish public broadcaster TVP will be digitally restored and made available free of charge on the websites cyfrowa.tvp.pl and vod.tvp.pl, as well as broadcast linearly on TVP’s channels. This is a direct result of the EU project DigIT - Digitisation and Archiving of the TVP Film Archive, which the broadcaster will be implementing over the next four years. The value of the project is PLN41.5 million (€9.74 million), with European funds contributing 79.71% of the total.
Joj Group introduces non-skippable ads
Slovakia’s Joj Group has implemented, in cooperation with all TV operators in the country, non-skippable advertising in archive broadcasting. In a statement, it says that under the new system, which came into effect on July 15, viewer watch three minutes of advertising and can then continue to access the archive like before. It adds that this change only applies to archive viewing and will not affect live broadcasting in any way. Joj Group currently has eight Slovak (TV Joj, Joj Plus, Wau, Jojko, Joj Šport, Joj Šport 2, Joj 24, Joj Svet) and six Czech channels (Joj Cinema, Joj Family, CS Film, CS Mystery, CS History and CD Horror) in its portfolio.
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