Scripps Networks may make further acquisitions such as Poland’s TVN in the future.
However, according to Philip Luff, MD UK & EMEA, Scripps Networks International, TVN was a huge investment and a similar deal would take time. Furthermore, Scripps has no plans to export the TVN brand to other markets.
Luff said that TVN is “a very special company” and Scripps “didn’t buy it to change it”. He added that the broadcaster would not be integrated with its other operations, instead being a partner such as BBC Worldwide.
Scripps established a presence in Poland in November 2011, when it launched its first channel, Polsat Food Network, in partnership with Polsat. It is now available to a total of 3.5 million subscribers on several platforms including Cyfrowy Polsat, where viewers can watch a HD version of the service.
The following year, Scripps acquired Travel, which is distributed to 7 million subscribers on a number of platforms, before buying TVN earlier this year.
Now, it is one of several bidders for a channel licence on the upcoming eighth DTT multiplex. Named Dom i Styl, it would, if launched, offer 60% original Polish content.
