15-05-2008

Changes across Czech TV scene

By FNE Staff

    UPC and SES ASTRA are expanding, while TV Prima brings in a controversial new programme director.

    Gordon Lovitt, the former programming director for state broadcaster Czech TV, has been appointed to the same position at commercial station TV Prima. During his brief tenure at Czech TV, the British ex-pat faced a barrage of criticism as a foreigner in one of the most influential positions at the national TV station.

    Lovitt moved on to become a consultant for TV Romania, where he again stirred controversy due to his outsized compensation package by Romanian standards. At TV Prima, he is expected to focus on formats, both new and existing.

    In the pay TV market, SES ASTRA is adding a satellite transponder for the Czech platform CS Link. Meanwhile cable provider UPC purchased Forcom Net, adding 13 towns across the Czech Republic.