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CME reinforces its multi-channel strategy in Ukraine
February 22, 2007, Hamilton, Bermuda
Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. ("CME") (Nasdaq/Prague Stock Exchange: CETV) Central European Media Enterprises (CME), the leader in television broadcasting in Central and Eastern Europe has announced encouraging results for its new thematic channels in Ukraine - younger-skewed entertainment and movie channel Kino and Kiev focussed infotainment channel Citi.
CME took control over both channel frequencies in January 2006 through the acquisition of a 65.5% share of the Ukrainian media holding company Ukrpromtorg - a deal which allowed CME to strengthen its position in its largest territory where it already runs a leading national commercial broadcaster Studio 1+1.
The move followed the success of CME’s multi-channel approach in Romania, where CME runs the family of channels including PRO TV, Acasa and PRO Cinema.
CME launched Kino in July 2006 and since then Kino's Share has grown in all target groups. The biggest growth occurred in the channel’s core demographic of 18-35 year olds with Share growing nearly 8 times to 0.91% and Rating growing 7 times to 0.14% since launch until the end of January.
The channel has cable and terrestrial distribution and its technical coverage has more than doubled since July and is currently reaching over 42% of the country.
CME’s second thematic operation Citi was launched on the 1st of December 2006 revamped as a Kiev-dedicated infotainment station focused on locally-produced news, lifestyle and consumer oriented programming. This channel is a perfect platform for urban advertisers and sponsors who want to have a direct dialogue with Kiev consumers.
The channel targets the 2.6 million population of Kiev and during the first month of broadcast since its re-launch Citi's all day Share and Rating have grown three times to 1.7% and 0.24% respectively, in prime time the growth was 4 times compared to the pre-launch results.
Marina Williams Executive VP of CME explained:
“We strongly believe in the multi-channel approach to our business in Ukraine and other territories. Citi and Kino help us target specific demographic groups in the ever-increasingly competitive and fragmented Ukrainian market. We would like to bring more high quality programming, including local productions, to the newly launched channels and further develop the distribution. Multi-channel approach will allow us to develop strong cross-promotional platform to support the development of our television assets and online activities.”
About the company
CME is a TV broadcasting company operating leading networks in six Central and Eastern European countries with an aggregate population of approximately 91 million people. The Company’s television stations are located in Croatia (Nova TV), Czech Republic (TV Nova, Galaxie Sport), Romania (PRO TV, Acasa, PRO Cinema, PRO TV International), Slovakia (Markíza), Slovenia (POP TV, Kanal A) and Ukraine (Studio 1+1, Studio 1+1 International, Kino, Citi). CME is traded on the NASDAQ and the Prague Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “CETV”.
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
