Did you know that 100,000 homes receive TV services illegally from ISPs in the Czech Republic?
Well neither did I, until the fact was pointed out to me last month by Zdenek Vanicek, the present of the Czech Association of Electronic Communications (CAEK).
To put this figure into context, the take-up of pay-TV services in the country is not as high as in most other developed markets in the CEE region. Indeed, they are received in just over 1.7 million of its 4.6 million (37%) homes, with cable and DTH each accounting for 750,000 and IPTV 220,000.
While piracy is not a problem confined to the Czech Republic – I was told only last week how much of one it is in neighbouring Poland – it surely must impact negatively on the pay-TV sector.
However, there are also other factors that hold it back. Take, for instance, DTT services. Having completed its transition to digital broadcasting in a relatively orderly manner, and sooner than most other countries in the region, the Czech Republic currently finds itself with four multiplexes offering viewers a total of around 30 channels, some of which are in HD.
These offer a free and attractive alternative to lower end products from pay-TV providers.
In due course, we may also see the launch of a pay-DTT platform in the country, along the lines of ones operated in Hungary and Slovakia.
These and many other issues, including copyright and must carry, will undoubtedly be discussed at an upcoming business breakfast in Prague on Tuesday, November 11. Organised jointly by Broadband TV News and Telenor Satellite Broadcasting, it will look at pay-TV and on demand services in the Czech Republic, the main issues and problems they face and their prospects for the future.
Entrance to the event is free and delegates can register by clicking here.
We look forward to seeing you in Prague and what we are sure will be a lively debate about one of the most interesting markets in the CEE region.
