By Chris Dziadul
Broadband TV News

There’s more to the TV industry in Bulgaria than meets the eye.

Going by recent coverage, one might be forgiven for thinking it is inundated with problems.

The long-running dispute with the European Commission over the controversial award of DTT licences is one that immediately springs to mind, as does that between Bulsatcom and bTV over content earlier this year.

However, despite the many problems facing the industry – most if not all of which are also found in other CEE markets, especially in the Balkan region, it certainly has its upsides. These have been recognised by foreign investors such as CME and MTG, backers of the national commercial broadcasters bTV and Nova respectively, as well as Sweden’s EQT (cable operator Blizoo) and Telekom Austria (M-Tel), all of which have put their money where their mouth is and committed to the market.

As elsewhere in the region, the TV industry in Bulgaria is undergoing rapid change. It is also more developed than many may realise, with pay-TV penetration, for instance, now at around 85%, multiscreen and OTT services on offer and some subscribers able to receive internet access at up to 150Mbps.

As for the problems, well they, too are plentiful, with the biggest one arguably being piracy.
There will certainly be a lot to discuss at the business briefing Broadband TV News will be holding in Sofia on Tuesday, October 1. Organised jointly with Telenor Satellite Broadcasting and taking Digital TV Distribution in Bulgaria as its theme, it already has the confirmed participation of such key local industry players as Bulsatcom, Blizoo, Nova TV, BNT, BACOO and Neterra.

Events such as this offer a rare opportunity to find out first hand about this fascinating market and at the same time network with those key players and others involved or interested in the Bulgarian TV industry.

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