This is undoubtedly a golden age for thematic TV channels in Poland. Not only do viewers already have a plethora of services to choose from, but they can also look forward to many new ones in the future.
Just this week we have reported in Broadband TV News that no fewer than six more channels will be added to Polsat’s already extensive portfolio by the end of next year. They will include two covering sport, bringing the total in the genre to five.
Sports channels are very much in vogue in Poland at the moment and earlier this month we saw Eleven Spots Network enter the market with two channel launches within the space of three weeks. The first, known as Eleven, focuses on football, while the second, Eleven Sports, offers a wide variety of sport.
Meanwhile TVN, the national commercial broadcaster now majority owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, is also continuing to build up its portfolio. Back in April, it launched two more channels – TVN Meteo Active and TVN Fabula – bringing the total it offers to 13.
Not to be outdone, the public broadcaster TVP, too, has its eye on launching more channels. Earlier this month, its new president hinted that they could include one covering popular science and another aimed at viewers aged 55+.
Canal+ has also been active, increasing the number of branded channels available in Poland from six to eight with the addition of Canal+ Sport 2 and Canal+ Discovery in May.
Right now, there is considerable interest in the contest for four slots on what will be Poland’s eighth DTT multiplex. Several companies, including Kino Polska TV, Agora and ZPR Media, are expected to throw their hats into the ring with offers to launch new channels.
All this comes against the backdrop of a TV market that is already as mature as many in Western Europe and continuing to grow rapidly.
