The distribution of Discovery channels is turning out to be a hot topic in Romania.
Just this week we learned that the company has rejected a proposal by Telekom Romania to create additional and separate packages in which only its channels are present. In its view, this would amount to discrimination against it by isolating its channels while at the same time maintaining the same package structure for other TV channels.
As in all such disputes, a resolution will eventually be found to both parties’ benefit.
Discovery is nevertheless already in a strong position in Romania, as was underlined by two other developments in the last few days. The first, by Digi Group/RCS&RDS, revealed that it has just launched a new 4K package featuring both its proprietary channel Digi 4K and Eurosport 4K. Digi has played a pioneering role in the introduction of 4K services in Romania through Digi 4K. Moreover, it signed a strategic agreement with Discovery at the end of last year for the distribution of its main channels.
The second development involved Discovery and Vodafone, the new owner of the former Liberty Global operation in Romania. Under it, all Discovery channels from UPC are now available on Vodafone TV. Furthermore, Vodafone Romania has become the sponsor of the Grand Slam tours and ATP Circuit broadcasts by Eurosport TV channels from this year and Eurosport 4K has been made available to subscribers, initially in Bucharest, from this week.
All this comes against the backdrop of a market that is bracing itself for important changes, not least of which will be the sale of Telekom Romania, most probably later this year.
