The Czech Council for Radio and TV Broadcasting (RRTV) has decided to grant a set of broadcasting licences for HBO Europe.
As a result, reports Parabola, the company will be able to launch its premium movie and serial channel HBO 3 in the CEE region, replacing the existing channel HBO Comedy on March 21.
HBO 3’s satellite licence, valid for 12 years, is for the distribution of the Hungarian feed of the 24-hour channel. RRTV has simultaneously informed Hungary that HBO 3 can be distributed in Hungary with a Czech licence.
The regulator has also granted a licence for the distribution of HBO 3 via special transmission systems through private leased lines via IP connections. In this instance, it is valid for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, with the main language broadcast being Czech.
An identical licence for special transmissions systems has also been granted to HBO 2 and HBO 3 Poland; HBO 3 Romania and HBO 2 and HBO 3 Adria.
Separately, Capital reports that the first operator in Bulgaria to have signed an agreement to distribute HBO 3 is Mtel.
However, it adds that HBO’s strategy is to not work with just any cable, satellite or online platforms as its services are aimed at a more affluent audience.
Capital also points out that HBO terminated its relationship with Bulsatcom, one of Bulgaria’s leading providers of pay-TV services, last July.
