CME signs WB deal
Central European Media Enterprises (CME, www.cetv-net.com) announced that it signed a multi-year output deal for Warner Bros TV (www.timewarner.com) series and feature films for CME's Bulgarian station, PRO.BG.
Production: Tanti in postproduction
Romanian filmmaker Şerban Marinescu is completing Tanti, a contemporary drama from a script written by Mircea Daneliuc.
Production: Bogdan Apetri shooting feature debut
Outskirts (Periferic) the feature debut from director Bogdan Apetri, written by Cristian Mungiu and Ioana Uricaru (Tales from the Golden Age) is in shooting through August 3.
Production: Hrebejk begins Kawasaki shoot
Director Jan Hrebejk announced he has started shooting his newest film, Kawasaki´s Roses (or Roses for Kawasaki).
SCI FI launches on Cyfra+
NBC Universal Global Networks announced the launch of its SCI FI channel on Poland's Cyfra+ platform.
SNORAS announces media investment
The Lithuanian SNORAS Group announced that it acquired a 34% stake in Lietuvos rytas, the largest Lithuanian mass media group.
News programme receives hefty state funding
A low budget daily programme on Malta's Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) received 68% of the station's Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding through September 2008.
Cinema school to open in Riga
The Riga Motion Pictures Studio is partnering with the Latvian Academy of Culture to open a film school in Riga.
Malta sees pay-TV growth
The Malta Communication Authority 2008 report shows that the country's pay-TV market reached 89% of the population, compared to 84% in 2007.
DISCOP weathers recession year
Despite a drop in the number of participants, 1,542 compared with 1,729 in 2008, DISCOP East managing director Patrick Jucaud put a positive spin on the business results.
Bulgarian company wins digital TV tender
Hannu Pro Bulgaria has been selected from a field of six bidders for the tender to build digital TV networks in Bulgaria.
Havel to make directing debut
Playwright and former Czech President Vaclav Havel plans to direct his first film, based on his recent play Leaving.
Production: Two films based on novels from Michal Viewegh
Michal Viewegh, a best-selling Czech novelist and screenwriter is working on two film screenplays based on his books.
Production: Mother Joanne of the Cats begins filming
Matka Joanna Od Kotów (Mother Joanne of the Cats) the debut feature from Paweł Sala, noted playwright and two-time Hartley-Merril Polish competition finalist, began filming June 18 in Poland.
Romanian TV revenues continue to fall
General Romanian TV channel revenues dropped 40%, while thematic TV channels revenues dropped by 30% between January and May 2009.
Austrian firm acquires stake in Bulgarian channel
Austrian media company Stevia Communications will buy a 50% stake in TV Evropa, a Bulgarian news channel.
CFO Macmillan resigns from CME
Central European Media Enterprises (www.cetv-net.com) announced that Wallace Macmillan will step down as the company Chief Financial Officer effective July 1.
Bromski comedy opens strong
The highly anticipate third part of the comedy series from director Jacek Bromski had one of the strongest opening weekends for local titles in Poland this year.
Production: Radu Mihaileanu is completing The Concert
Director Radu Mihaileanu (Train de vie, Live and Become) is completing post-production on his dramatic comedy The Concert.
Estonia hosts largest budget film
Poll, a €7.8 million Austrian-German-Estonian co-production, started shooting on the coast of Estonia the week of June 15.
