« back
TV Nova Plans Giant Production Center
September 7, 2009, E15
The largest commercial station TV Nova has started preparations for a massive production center, which will sell television and movie content to other companies. Based on their new innovative business model, the owner of TV Nova, Bermuda based company CME, now provides three sources of income - broadcasting, sales and Internet content.
Similar production centers will be established in all countries where the owners of Nova operate, and will come together to create a production division of CME. In all likely hood, Prague stands a strong chance to become the headquarters of the newly formed production division.
"CME's production centers will be strongest in the Czech Republic and Romania, a little less strong in the Slovak Republic. Slovenia and Croatia will follow course, focusing on non-fiction productions, such as Big Brother and Farm. They are in fact, already very robust. The whole division will be driven from the place where business is strongest," said the director of TV Nova, Petr Dvořák. According to him, they are not yet confirmed whether the Czech production center will operate within the existing structure, or establish a new separate company.
The foundation of the current production center, will shape TV Nova programming development, and will be led by Radek Bajgar. The production center will administer film co-productions and development of new television series. Currently they account for successful sitcom series Comeback, Kriminálku Anděl (Criminal Angel) and some yet unaired programs První krok (First Step), Okresní přebor (District Champion), and Expozituru.
"The entire production center would include a few dozen people working on individual projects, and we will hire additional freelancers," said Dvorak.
With regards to who will lead the production center, Dvorak added "In any case, Radek Bajgar with production director, Peter Erben will play a very important role". Nova's parent company CME, announced in July the majority purchase of Romanian MediaPro, which belonged to president [CEO], Adrian Sarbu. In the Czech Republic, MediaPro, also owned the production company MediaPro Pictures, co-produced films such as ROMing, directed by Jiri Vejdělka, and involved Philip Renč, at their own risk. The company is now integrating their capabilities, film libraries, and Bajgarovy division.
Prima [TV] took similar steps, and have had delays with attempts of distribution. Earlier in May of this year, Milan Herman, who formerly led the Czech branch of BMG and worked for Nova, accepted a position as chief of program creation. "He will be responsible for the development of new and existing programming, and finding new opportunities and talent," said Prima, Director, Marek Singer. Prima is currently preparing a series aimed at thirty-year olds, "Pře‘lapy", they are being silent on other projects.
For additional information, please contact:
Romana Wyllie
Vice President of Corporate Communications
Central European Media Enterprises
Krizeneckeho nam. 1078/5
152 00 Praha 5
Czech Republic
+420 242 465 525
romana.wyllie@cme-net.com
