Introduction:
The Czech television market has an audience of 10 million and comprises one public television, two big commercial stations and several smaller ones. On the national scale, the relatively small Czech territory is divided between the two channels of a public TV network, two commercial stations, which broadcast nationwide, and a number of smaller commercial TV studios.
The Czech Republic was the first of the former Soviet bloc to see the opening of a nationwide commercial channel, TV NOVA, in 1994. Within a relatively short time NOVA has attracted 51 per cent of the viewers. Its main newscast now attracts more viewers than that of Czech TV.
The broadcasting license is owned by CET 21, whose main shareholder Vladimir Zelezny was recently recalled from his post as director general of NOVA TV following his disputes with CME (Central Media Enterprise), the major shareholder of NOVA´s operator, the CNTS Company.
Prima TV is the other nationwide commercial television. Between 1997 and 1998 Prima TV's share of the market fell from 8 to 11 per cent. The license to broadcast is owned by the Investment and Post Bank, which is the only partner of Prima´s operator, the FTV Premiera. The structure of the ownership, however, will have to be changed. FTV Premiera provides the so-called 'windows' to most regional and local television stations. These stations get two spots a day, one between 6.30-8.30 and the other between 15.00 -18.00 during which they broadcast using their own licenses.
The two channels of the Czech public TV (Ceska televize) attract about 34 per cent of viewers. There are over 11 regional TV stations and over 40 local TV stations with a limited reach. There are more than 72 cable TV operators and 9 operators broadcasting by satellite.
The importance of television keeps growing.....
