09-04-2008

Czech Z1 gets digital license

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    The Czech digital TV news channel Z1 has obtained a compensatory broadcasting licence from the state Council for Radio and TV Broadcasting (RRTV), according to a council official quoted by the Czech news agency CTK. The licence enables Z1 to broadcast in the networks for digital terrestrial TV broadcasting (DVB-T) which are now being built across the country and are set to replace analog transmission by November 2011.

    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 The licenses were subsequently withdrawn following protests, but reinstated as compensatory licenses earlier this year.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.

    Published in Czech Republic

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