Polsat targets business channel

The Polish national commercial broadcaster Polsat is about to buy the business channel TV Biznes. Negotiations on the acquisition, valued at between PLN20-25 million (Euro5.2-6.5 million) have been in progress for several months and once completed will help Polsat compete more effectively with the rival news channel TVN24. Separately, figures produced by Starlink show that ad spend in Poland in 2006 amounted to PLN5.6 billion, or 10.4% more than in 2005. The biggest growth was seen in Internet spend (+59.3%), with TV posting a more modest rise (12%). Starlink predicts similar growth in the market this year. Also in Poland, the alternative telco Netia now has over 20,000 homes receiving its broadband Internet access service, delivered over infrastructure belonging to the incumbent TPSA. (CD)