Z1 wants to launch broadcasting before summer begins, according to an official for the controlling company Prvni zpravodajska. The channel employs 100 people so far and expects a full staff of 120 to 160.

Its closest rival will be CT24, a news channel run by state-owned Czech Television (CT) which launched three years ago. CT24 broadcasts via the digital terrestrial network, the cable and satellite networks, and the Internet.

Z1 is one of six new digital TV channels which had originally obtained a licence to broadcast in the network for digital terrestrial broadcasting, CTK reported. The licenses were subsequently withdrawn following protests, but reinstated as compensatory licenses earlier this year. Others include Febio TV, TV Barrandov, Ocko, TV Pohoda and RTA. TV Barrandov plans to start broadcasting this summer as well.