13-01-2011

Bulgarian DTT Tender Under Fire

By FNE Staff

    Bulgaria's contested tender for DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) multiplexes could be declared void by the European Commission. The Austrian Broadcasting Services, Oesterreichischer Rundfunksender (www.ors.at) , the original frontrunner, eventually withdrew as conditions for the tender were changed. The future operator of the multiplex, will distribute the digital programs of the national state-owned television BNT and radio BNR.

    A 50% share in NURTS (a national network of TV and radio broadcasting services) was to a Cyprus-based company with ties to a Bulgarian bank, according to a report in the Bulgarian news service Novinte. The tender to operatethe DTT multiplex went to Latvia's Hannu Pro.

    The rights cover a 15-year period and service to 12 cities.