UPC has begun testing an Internet-delivered TV service in Poland. Similar to ones already available in The Netherlands and Switzerland, it consists of six channels – Animal Planet, CNN International, Discovery Channel, Fashion TV, National Geographic and TVN24 – and is initially being made available to its subscribers in Warsaw for no additional fee. UPC remains the leading cable operator in Poland, having begun this year with over one million cable TV, 200,000 Internet and 60,000 VoIP subscribers. Separately, Canal+ has cancelled the Football Oscars 2007 gala night it was due to stage in Warsaw on February 26. Canal+ holds exclusive rights to the Polish premiere football league (Ekstraklasa), funding its 16 clubs to the tune of PLN50 million (€13 million) a season. Its decision to cancel the event was influenced by a corruption scandal that has hit Polish football. Last week the minister of sport replaced the board of the Polish football association (PZPN), with the action being subsequently condemned by both the football world governing body FIFA and its European counterpart UEFA. (CD)
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