CME to launch new channels, expand pay TV

Central and Eastern European broadcast group CME is preparing to launch a number of new channels across six CEE markets and is eying an expansion of its pay TV business.

CME president Adrian Sarbu told Czech business daily Hospodářské Noviny that it was planning to launch a raft of male-skewing, female-skewing and kids channels in the markets that it is currently active in. 
Sarbu added that he expected advertising revenues in the Czech Republic to rise significantly this year. He said that both TV Nova and main rival Prima will benefit heavily from legislation introduced last year abolishing advertising on public broadcaster Czech Television’s main channel and news channels.