CME has stepped up its efforts to become a key player in Bulgaria’s TV industry.
Dnevnik reports that TV2, the company’s Bulgarian TV station, has submitted an application for additional analogue frequencies.
The move, which has been prompted by a requirement for existing channels hoping to have future DTT distribution to already attain 50% analogue coverage, nevertheless met with an unexpected legal controversy.
It was prompted by the disclosure, following a check by the Council for Electronic Media (CEM), that TV2 has not been officially registered. The regulator nevertheless permitted the frequency application on the grounds that TV2 is licensed to create and distribute TV programmes by cable and satellite.
TV2, which according to CME reaches 70% of Bulgaria’s population, in fact holds separate programme and communication licences.
A general news and entertainment channel, it was launched in November 2007 and acquired by CME in August last year.