More details continue to emerge about Belsat TV, a new channel operated by the Polish public broadcaster TVP and aimed at Belarus. It will, according to local sources, officially make its debut this coming Monday (December 12) as an unencrypted service delivered by both Astra and Sirius. Initially, it will be on air – in test mode – for three hours daily, with this eventually rising to 16 hours. Its programming will be produced in Poland, Lithuania and by journalists based in Belarus itself, targeting the (approximately) 5-7% homes in Belarus that have satellite dishes. Belsat TV has already secured PLN16 million (€4.47 million) in funding from the Polish state and an unspecified amount from Lithuania. It also hopes to receive assistance from the US, Czech Republic and the EU.
