The analogue switch-off in Bulgaria has been delayed by two years and is scheduled to be wrapped up by the beginning of 2015, the transport minister announced.

The digital dividend proposals adopted by the European Commission last year ask EU member states to speed up the switch-off of analogue TV and to complete it by 1 January 2012.

"The deadline has been extended because of the considerable financial resources that the government needs to allot for freeing up airwaves, the broad information campaign that needs to be rolled out and the procurement of decoders for the socially disadvantaged," Minister Alexander Tsvetkov said.

According to the minister "there will be no collisions and no need for licenses to be re-issued" in the wake of the extended deadline, which though set by the European Commission, is just recommendable.

The government has decided to set up a working group, which will prepare a draft project for the the introduction of digital terrestrial TV network. The group will have to draw up the plan by January 31, 2011.

Five countries - Finland, Germany, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and Sweden- and the US have already shown that analogue switch-off can be done quickly.

The sale of 50% stake in Bulgaria's radio and television broadcasting unit NURTS to Cyprus-based international financial investor Mancelord Limited was wrapped up at the end of August this year.

NURTS covers nearly all of Bulgaria with its network of radio and television broadcasting services. It has a key position on the analogue broadcasting market through its network of TV towers and retranslation facilities covering the entire territory of the country and transmitting the programs of the major TV and radio operators.

Mancelord Limited is represented in Bulgaria by Bromak Ltd., majority shareholder in Bulgaria's Corporate Commercial Bank Ltd. Bromak also holds a stake in the media group of mogul Irena Krasteva, who is believed to be funded by the Corporate Commercial Bank.

At the end of July the Bulgarian Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) picked Latvia-based Hannu Pro to operate what will be the country's public service DTT multiplex, causing dismay and disagreement among the other bidders, which included the telecoms BTC and Vivacom.

The future operator of the multiplex, which will distribute the digital programs of the national state-owned television BNT and radio BNR, will receive a permit for 15 years and will provide services to 12 cities across the country – Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Vidin, Kardzhali, Pleven, Plovdiv, Russe, Smolyan, Sofia, Starta Zagora, Shumen.

Following CRC ruling, Hannu Pro will operate four out of six multiplexes in Bulgaria.

The other player on the market is Slovakia's Towercom, which was recently acquired by NURTS Bulgaria, a joint venture between the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company, rebranded as Vivacom, and Cyprus-based international financial investor Mancelord Limited.

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