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Central European Media Enterprises enters Bulgarian market

Central European Media Enterprises (CME) announced on July 28 that it had entered into an agreement that would give it an 80 per cent interest in two Bulgarian TV stations. The two stations are TV2, established in November 2007, and cable sports television station Ring TV.

The agreement between CME and Top Tone Media Holdings Limited, was expected to be worth about $172 million (110.2 million euro).

Bulgarian weekly Kapital said on July 25 that Top Tone Media Holdings Limited had been created as a vehicle for the sales of TV2. Head of Top Tone Media Holdings Limited is Ognyan Dimov, who is also the general director of TV2. Gergana Dakovska, original owner of TV2, was quoted by Kapital as saying that the transfer of her shares to Top Tone Media Holdings Limited was still underway.

CME announced that it would enter into a consulting agreement with Krassimir Gergov, the chairperson of the Bulgarian Association of Advertising Agencies, who, in Bulgarian media, is also associated with both TV stations.

Michael Garin, chief executive officer of CME, was quoted in a media statement of the company as saying: “This acquisition is an important next step in the continuing expansion of our free-to-air broadcasting operations in Central and Eastern Europe. Our entrance into the Bulgarian market represents the first new CME territory in three years and demonstrates our ability to continue our growth strategy within the region. The TV2 Group, with a core free-to-air national network and supporting assets such as niche cable channels, is an exceptional fit with our multi-channel business model. We look forward to entering Bulgaria, which has a dynamic economy and a rapidly growing television advertising market.”

TV2 broadcasts free-to-air using 27 separate licences in as many different cities, according to Kapital. These licences were said to be temporary licences and their status has been under discussion. A member of the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) who had asked to remain anonymous was quoted by Kapital as saying that when the first 14 cities in late 2008 or early 2009 would switch to digital broadcasting, TV2 would have to stop broadcasting on those frequencies.

CME spokesperson Romana Tomasova told The Sofia Echo that CME “expects to be fairly treated in the digitisation process and to be given alternative frequencies”.

July 30 2008, Source: sofiaecho.com

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Thursday, December 04 2008

Expat of the Week

RosieP

I really enjoy walking and can't wait to move into my little house in Bulgaria! read more

What`s on in Bulgaria

Cultural Institutes

  • Save the planet, and Bulgaria
    What: A film by American director Tom Jackson, this tells the story of how petrol corporations damage the environment without reinvesting any funds to offset it.
    When: December 10, 6pm
    Where: Czech Centre 100 G. S. Rakovski Str, Sofia

Art

  • Buy yourself a little painting
    What: Victoria auction house organises its 15th auction of the works of classic Bulgarian and European painters.
    When: December 10, 6pm
    Where: Sredets Hall in Sheraton Hotel, Sofia
  • ALLA GEORGIEVA, LOVE AND EVIL MINDS
    What: This is the first solo exhibition by Alla Georgieva since 2003. Born in Ukraine, the artist lives and works in Sofia.
    When: Until December 20
    Where: ARC Projects, 90 Vitosha Blvd, fourth floor, Sofia
  • ARTCHITECTURA
    What: Known as a successful graphic artist, with this solo exhibition Robert Barumov reveals a new dimension to his talent, that of a painter.
    When: Until December 12
    Where: Gallery Paris, 8 Parizh Str, Sofia
  • THE WORLD OF IVANKA SOKEROVA
    What: Ivanka Sokerova (1926-1993) is a little known artistic figure of admirable stoicism, working only with her left hand, the artist creates ceramic pieces, collages, drawings and writing.
    When: Until December 15
    Where: Sariev Gallery, 40 Otets Paisii Str, Plovdiv
  • FROM YOUR DAUGHTER WITH LOVE
    What: Until December 20
    When: Iva Yaranova has titled her exhibition Happy Birthday, Mom.
    Where: 16a Iskur Str (entrance from Budapeshta Str), Sofia

Museums

  • Archaeological treasures
    What: A private archaeological collection of special value will be on display for the enjoyment of guests and residents of Bulgaria's Black Sea capital. The treasures belong to the brothers Bobokovi, from Rousse, who had been collecting items for 20 years.
    When: Until April 2009
    Where: Varna Archaeological Museum, 41 Maria Louisa Blvd, Varna
  • SIEMENS TECHNOLOGY AND ART
    What: The theme of this exhibition is 130 years of Siemens in Bulgaria, intertwining historical periods with development of the local art scene. Works by Bulgarian contemporary artists such as Ivan Moudov, Boryana Pandova and Krassimir Terziev are displayed.
    When: Until December 14
    Where: Sofia City Art Gallery, 1 Gurko Str, Sofia