Inside CEE Television
- chrisdz3
- Jul 31
- 5 min read
Chris Dziadul, July 31 2025
United Group managers express “deep concerns”
Fourteen United Group executives have reportedly written to the company’s board about the dismissal of Dragan Šolak, the founder and chairman of the advisory board, and CEO Viktoriya Boklag. In a letter seen by Bloomberg News, they voiced their “deep concerns regarding the recent leadership changes” and demanded “immediate action to reinstate” the pair. They added the “sudden and unprepared regime change was not only a random but also a very irresponsible decision – and thus an existential threat to United Group and its businesses.” Inside CEE Television notes that the Financial Times has also reported about the letter and growing concerns over the sackings expressed by United Group executives. Šolak and Boklag were dismissed in June by United Group, which is majority owned by BC Partners, and replaced by Stan Miller (CEO) and Libor Vončina (deputy CEO). Šolak has since filed a lawsuit against United Group.
Bosnian pubcaster wins legal battle
The Supreme Court of Republika Srpska has confirmed that the Bosnian public broadcaster BHRT has the right to receive a portion of receiver licence fees from RTRS, the public broadcaster serving Republika Srpska. Following on from a decision in March by the Constitutional Court of Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH), its ruling in favour of BHRT was made in two court proceedings. According to BHRT, the dispute between the two broadcasters has dragged on for several years and it is now owed over BAM100 million (€51.1 million) by RTRS. BHRT sued RTRS for over BAM10 million and the court accepted its arguments, confirming that under the Law on the Public Broadcasting System of BiH, BHRT is entitled to 50% of the total receiver licence fee collected, after deducting the operating costs of collection. The Supreme Court also ordered the repetition of court proceedings before lower courts in Banja Luka, with the obligation to consistently apply legal positions from the ruling of the Constitutional Court of BiH.
Vectra expands streaming service
Poland’s largest cable operator Vectra has added seven channels to its streaming service Tvsmart.pl. Metro, TTV and TVN Siedem are now part of the Start package, which consists of 42 channels and costs PLN9.99 (€2.34) a month, and TVN Fabuła, HGTV, TVN Style and TVN Turbo have been placed in the Standard package, which offers 76 channels and costs PLN29.99 a month. Vectra has also introduced a new visual look and functionalities to Tvsmart.pl.
Oneplay secures Premier League
The Czech streaming service Oneplay, formed by the merger of Voyo and O2 TV earlier this year, has signed an agreement with M7 Group’s Skylink. Thanks to it, Oneplay subscribers will be able to watch all Canal+ Sport channels and with them all Premier League games and the women’s WTA tour. The agreement also includes Voyo subscribers in Slovakia.
Telekom Srbija looks to North Macedonia
The Serbian incumbent Telekom Srbija is planning to buy two operators in North Macedonia. According to Serbian reports, quoting the Competition Commission of North Macedonia, the companies in question are Orion telekom wifi and Beontelnet ISP.
Head of Polish regulator dismissed
Maciej Świrski, the chairman of Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) has been dismissed by its members. He has been replaced by Agnieszka Glapiak, with Hanna Karp assuming the position of deputy chairman. Prior to his dismissal, the Polish parliament voted to bring Świrski before the State Tribunal.
Telekom Romania sale approved
Romania’s Competition Council (CC) has conditionally authorised the takeover of Telekom Romania Mobile Communications (TKRM) by Vodafone Romania and some of the company’s assets by Digi Romania. The latter include the rights to use certain radio frequencies and providing prepaid mobile services. CC’s approval of the transaction follows one that had previously given by the Commission for Review of Foreign Direct Investments (CEISD). Inside CEE Television notes that Greece’s OTE, which is backed by Deutsche Telekom, entered into an agreement late last year to sell TKRM to Vodafone Romania and Digi Romania. It earlier sold its majority stake in Telekom Romania’s fixed-line business, which includes TV services, to Orange Romania.
Streaming TV share grows in Poland
Streaming’s share of total TV screen viewership in Poland reached 9.7% in June. This, according to Nielsen’s The Gauge, was up from 9.4% in May. YouTube was the stand-out performer, with its share rising to 2.4%, or 0.2% more than in May. While Netflix maintained its share of 1.7%, services like CDA.pl, Player and SkyShowtime saw increases.
Russian streaming on a roll
The number of users of streaming (‘online cinema’) services in Russia stood at 67 million as of the end of the second quarter. This, according to TelecomDaily, was 26% more than in the same period last year. Of these, 52 million (+44%) opted for paid subscriptions. Kinopoisk (24.6%) accounted for the most users, followed by Okko (17.4%), ivi (16%), Wink (14.2%) and Kion (13.3%). Together, they accounted for 86% of all users of streaming services. In terms of paid subscriptions, Kinopoisk (23%) was again in first place, followed by Wink (16.6%), Okko and Kion (joint third, with 16.1% and 16% respectively) and ivi (14.3%).
New structure for WBD
Poland’s TVN will become part of Discovery Global as part of a new company structure announced by Warner Bros. Discovery. It has until now fallen under Global Networks and will join other premier entertainment, sports and news television brands in the new group. Discovery Global will be headed by president and CEO Gunnar Wiedenfels, while Kasia Kieli will be president and MD, Poland, as well as CEO, TVN. Meanwhile, David Zaslav will become president and CEO of Warner Bros, the company’s other new unit.
Yettel boost channel offer
Serbia’s Yettel has introduced two new programme packages. The first, known as Net TV Basic, offers a host of new channels, including United Media’s N1 and Nova, as well as a variety of sports content on 10 Arena Sports channels. Meanwhile Net TV Premium, the second, includes all Arena Premium channels, two additional new Arena Premium channels (4 and 5), as well as Arena Tennis and Arena Adrenalin. The packages are available to both new and existing Yettel and SBB subscribers, on the Yettel TV and Eon platforms respectively. SBB subscribers can now also receive the Voyo streaming service. Yettel and SBB have been operating a unified programme offer since July 29.
Ekstraklasa expands reach
The Polish premier football league Ekstraklasa will continue to be available to viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This follows an agreement between the league and Sportdigital Fussball covering the 2025/6 and 2026/7 seasons. It was recently announced that Ekstraklasa will be offered beIN Sport in the US and Canada.
Rebrand for 1+1 Media channel
Ukraine’s 1+1 Media has rebranded the TV channel UNIAN on its 15th anniversary. According to the company, it is now known as UNIAN.Serial and offers viewers high-quality detective series. UNIAN was for a long time focused on information and analytical programming. However, 1+1 Media now broadcasts news in the Marathon TV channel and also operates the UNIAN news agency.
Comments