Most TV channels from the Czech Republic’s Nova Group will no longer be distributed via cable and satellite in Slovakia from March 1.
According to Parabola, there will be a total of five channels withdrawn (TV Nova, Nova Cinema, Nova Action, Nova 2 and Nova Gold), while three (Nova International, Nova Sport 1 and Nova Sport) will still be available.
Although terrestrial reception of all Nova channels will still be possible, it remains to be seen how long this will continue once the transition to the DVB-T2 standard starts.
The move parallels one undertaken by TV Nova’s Slovak counterpart Markiza in the Czech Republic.
Although both are owned by the same company (Central European Media Enterprises – CME), two other leading broadcasters (the Czech Republic’s Prima and Slovakia’s Joj) have also recently embarked on a similar strategy, restricting distribution of their existing channels in the neighbouring country while at the same time launching new ones specifically targeting viewers in that country.
