Two of the Czech Republic’s leading broadcasters – publicly owned CT and the commercial station TV Barrandov – face tough financial decisions in 2011.
E15 reports that CT’s budget for this year is likely to be set at CZK7.2 billion (€293.1 million), or CZK100 million less than in 2010. The broadcaster is already achieving significant savings through its transition to digital broadcasting – the digital network operated by Ceske Radiokomunikace already covers 99.8% of the population.
However, CT’s ad revenues in 2011 are expected to reach only CZK480 million, or CZK50 million less than last year.
The digital station TV Barrandov, on the other hand, ended 2010 with cumulative debts of CZK826 million over a three -year period.
It expects to post further losses of over CZK51 million in 2011, though its revenues should rise to CZK410 million, and to finally break even in 2012.