Lenka Hrivnáková, Author at The Association of Commercial Television

PRIMA IS PLANNING CHANGES TO ITS TERRESTRIAL TV SERVICE; A SHUFFLE IS ON THE WAY

The Prima Group is set to expand its collaboration with Digital Broadcasting and plans to move most of its channels to its DVB-T2 multiplex 24 next year. In an interview, the director of the Prima Group explains the reasons behind the change in distribution strategy and also clarifies why the new Prima Sport channel will only be available in SD resolution via terrestrial broadcasting.

The Prima media group’s long-standing contract with České Radiokomunikace is due to expire next year. It intends to continue working with the operator, but plans to broadcast most of its programmes on the rival network operated by Digital Broadcasting. Lukáš Kubát, CEO of the Prima Group, outlined the planned move to MediaGuru.cz.

Mr Kubát, the launch of your new nationwide channel, Prima Sport, on Digital Broadcasting’s DVB-T2 multiplex 24 comes as a big surprise. What led you to take this step?

We have entered into a long-term partnership with Digital Broadcasting, and Prima Sport is the first sign of this collaboration. Next year, we plan to move other channels to this multiplex as well.

Until now, you’ve had very close ties with ČRA, and it was no secret that you had your own dedicated data capacity there.

Yes, we did have a reserved bandwidth, but we have now received a significantly more favourable offer, which is why we are planning to switch to this network. I am very pleased about the partnership with Digital Broadcasting.

Can you reveal which programmes you intend to move to DVB-T2 multiplex 24?

The vast majority. As for České Radiokomunikace, we’re deciding whether to stay there with just one or two channels.

And is the portfolio of channels you’ll have after the launch of Prima Sport now final?

If we were to launch anything else, it would be some FAST channels with pay-TV operators. I don’t see any scope for us to launch another traditional thematic channel on top of sport at this stage.

And can Prima Sport operate on the FAST model?

No, it won’t be a FAST channel. Prima Sport will be part of a large ecosystem. That means the content will primarily be on the Prima platform, and then Prima Sport will acquire certain rights that we want to promote, or possibly broadcast them directly on free-to-air television.

I’d like to ask about picture quality. Given the pay-TV operators, your programmes on terrestrial television – with the exception of CNN Prima News – are only available in SD resolution. Now, all of a sudden, Prima Sport has appeared and is broadcasting in Full HD. Is this some sort of new trend that other channels will follow?

Prima Sport will be available in SD on terrestrial TV.

So was the HD just some sort of introductory promo?

Exactly. The channel isn’t officially broadcasting yet, so it was a sort of trial run, but it will then be in SD because we can’t breach our contracts with the operators.

So is this just a promotion lasting a few weeks?

No, it’ll just be those two Sparta matches, and then from 17 August the channel will be broadcast terrestrially in SD resolution only. Viewers will be able to find it in HD via operators and on Prima.

The operator Digital Broadcasting claims around 98 per cent coverage of the Czech Republic, which might be sufficient. However, from my experience, I know of viewers who really can’t tune into DVB-T2 multiplex 24. Aren’t you worried about that?

No. When I look at the development of IPTV, which has been growing steadily over the long term, I’m not worried about it. Whether DTT has one or two per cent less coverage doesn’t matter.

Well, it’s precisely the terrestrial broadcasting that’s the issue…

I know, but it’s been losing ground in the long term. If you look at the main source of revenue by platform, you can see how DTT is declining.

So, to sum up, how will your distribution mix develop?

For the time being, it’s staying as it is. We maintain a certain standard of quality for our terrestrial broadcasts, but we provide a higher quality service to pay-TV operators. From next year, we’ll be ‘splitting our services’, so we won’t just be with one terrestrial multiplex operator, but with both Digital Broadcasting and ČRA.

České Radiokomunikace retains its clients through long-term contracts. I assume that means those contracts are coming to an end for you?

Exactly. They’re due to end next year.

Source: mediaguru.cz

NOVA THIS AUTUMN: GOD’S PLAN, MEN IN FLIGHT, SUPERSTAR, THE WELL, CRIME UNIT ANDĚL AND THE SURGERY

At its programming press conference, the Nova Group unveiled its line-up for this autumn’s season. Its television line-up will feature new series for Tuesday and Thursday evenings, tried-and-tested reality shows and entertainment programmes, as well as original productions from Oneplay Originals.

The new series *God’s Plan* and *Men in Flight*, which are set to air on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, new episodes of *Criminal Investigation: Angel* and *Marta’s Extraordinary Cases*, the return of the reality TV formats *Superstar* and *The Lion’s Den*, the entertainment programme ‘Anything Is Possible’, the competition show ‘On the Hunt’, the inclusion of the series ‘The Well’, and episodes of ‘The Clinic in the Rose Garden’ not yet broadcast on television will all be featured by TV Nova’s main channel in its autumn schedule this year. It unveiled its programme at a press conference on Monday afternoon, alongside new features on its Oneplay platform.

TV Nova’s autumn programme schedule, source: TV Nova / MediaGuru.cz

The first series of *Kriminálka Anděl* will focus on cases involving online fraud, social welfare abuse, the betting mafia and organised crime. As usual, the Monday evening slot will be a highlight. This will be followed by repeats of *Specialisté*.
Following the end of the series *Jedna rodina*, Nova will fill the prime-time slot at 8.20 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the new series *Boží plán*. The 24-episode series from the creators of *Jedna rodina* will feature a trio of friends played by Marek Lambora, Václav Matějovský and Filip Březina. Together with Tomáš Jeřábek and Michaela Petřeková, they will form a group who “share a flat and try to start living by their own rules”.

After three months, the story of *God’s Plan* will come to an end and be replaced by another new series, the eight-part *Men in Flight*. Pavel Zedníček, Miroslav Donutil and Bolek Polívka will appear together on screen for the first time in the lead roles. Set in the Karlštejn region, the story will focus on three men who are coming to terms with their past and trying to keep a sense of perspective on life’s situations.

After a break of several years, the singing competition *SuperStar* will return to Nova and Markíza. The format, which has been running in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for more than two decades, will feature a new panel of judges, presenter Leoš Mareš and new singing talents. Nova will broadcast SuperStar for the first time on a Wednesday evening.

At the same time, Oneplay Originals will make their television debut. Until now, they have only been available on Oneplay. The titles include *Studna*, *Kauza Kramný*, *Případ Stodolovi* and *Případ Janákovi*. They will be shown in the Sunday evening slot.
As a special treat for viewers, TV Nova will also be showing episodes of *Ordinace v růžové zahradě 2*, which were previously only available on Oneplay. However, *Ordinace* will continue to premiere new episodes on Oneplay in the format viewers are accustomed to. It will appear on television in the second prime-time slot on Tuesday evenings.

The series *Marta’s Extraordinary Cases* will debut with new episodes (broadcast day yet to be announced). The main character, played by Tatiana Dyková, will return to the police force and once again solve cases in her own unique way. The competition programmes *Na lovu* (every weekday in the early evening, from 17 August), *Na lovu speciál* (Sunday evenings), *Anything Is Possible* (Saturdays from 8.20 pm) and, in the early evening slot, *Ulice* (every weekday, premiering from 17 August).
Nova will launch a new news and lifestyle discussion programme, *Taky názor*, which will focus on three topics each week. These will be discussed by people from across society. The presenters are Rebecca Diatilová and David Chmátal.
The main channel will also be showing a number of film premieres: *Moře na dvoře*, *Jak se nám to mohlo stát?*, *Něco za něco*, *Cukrkandl*, *Na horách* and *Princezna stokrát jinak*.
A new addition to Oneplay’s original programming will be the ten-part prison comedy *Oddíl B*. Twenty-year-old David Broulík, played by Tadeáš Moravec, ends up in prison after a life situation gets out of hand; he tells his girlfriend he’s joining the Foreign Legion. The series was created by Petr Kolečko and Jan Prušinovský, who previously collaborated on the series *Most!*.

Oneplay will also be showing the sixth series of the dating reality show *Love Island Czech Republic & Slovakia*.

According to CEO Daniel Grunt, the Nova Grouphas once again increased its investment in original content this year. The investment is primarily directed towards Oneplay Originals, TV Nova’s prime-time programming, and the sports channel Oneplay Sport. “We are entering the season with confidence; it is one of the most varied in recent years and, in terms of the proportion of original content premiering on the Czech market, truly exceptional,” commentedDaniel Grunt, CEO of the Nova Group.

Silvia Majeská, Programme Director at TV Nova and Oneplay, said that the autumn line-up combines established formats with new stories and faces. “For us, the combination of familiarity and surprise is key. We are returning to brands and formats that have a firm place in viewers’ hearts, whilst at the same time bringing new stories, new faces and projects that may pleasantly surprise them.”

According to Michal Reitler, Head of Development at TV Nova and Oneplay, original programming is expanding to include further genres and themes. “The series *Oddíl B* by Petr Kolečko and Honza Prušinovský is sure to be just such a surprise,” he said, adding that, in his view, the creative duo craft situations in which viewers experience the characters’ problems alongside them.

Details of the autumn schedule can be found here.

Source: mediaguru.cz

PRIMA THIS AUTUMN: NEW EPISODES OF POD HLADINOU, ZÁKONY VLKA, POLABÍ AND THE REALITY SHOW ZRÁDCI

TV Prima unveiled its autumn programming schedule at Tyršův dům in Prague. This autumn, the broadcaster aims to attract viewers with new episodes of series including Zákony vlka, Kriminálka Slapy: Pod hladinou and Polabí, as well as reality formats Ano, šéfe! and Zrádci.

New seasons of Pod hladinou and Zákony vlka, the continuation of Polabí, premiere episodes of Ano, šéfe!, as well as Show Jana Krause and Máme rádi Česko, and the third season of the reality show Zrádci form the backbone of the autumn schedule on the flagship channel TV Prima. The broadcaster presented its autumn programming at its traditional press conference, held this time at Tyršův dům in Prague. At the same time, Prima also unveiled its new sports channel Prima sport.

The autumn schedule will feature several changes compared with the current line-up:

Show Jana Krause (SJK) is moving to Tuesday’s second prime-time slot (from 9:40 p.m.). In the spring, this slot was occupied by the talk show 7 pádů Honzy Dědka. Prima is no longer continuing with the programme, which will instead air on Televize Seznam from September. The first SJK episode after the summer break will air on 25 August.
Prima is also introducing a new profile for Wednesday prime time, which will focus on the crime genre. The slot previously occupied by the series Kamarádi will be taken over in the autumn by premiere episodes of Kriminálka Slapy: Pod hladinou 2 (from 26 August). Until now, the series had only been available on the prima+ platform. The cast includes Marek Němec, Marek Adamczyk, Ivana Chýlková, Václav Vydra, Šárka Krausová and Filip Tomsa. The premiere episodes will be followed on Wednesday evenings by reruns of the crime series Dvojka na zabití.
The series Zákony vlka will also return with new episodes (from 29 August), retaining its Saturday prime-time slot from 8:20 p.m., as in previous seasons. Stanislav Majer and Linda Rybová will once again play the lead roles in the new episodes of the crime series, joined by Jan Vondráček, Jan Novotný, Josef Polášek, Tereza Švejdová, Kristýna Frejová, Martin Donutil, Martin Myšička and Tomáš Jeřábek.
New episodes of Polabí will return to Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8:20 p.m. (from 25 August).
On Thursdays, the premiere season of the reality show Ano, šéfe!, featuring Zdeněk Pohlreich, will follow Polabí in the second slot from 9:40 p.m. (from 27 August).
Monday evenings will be devoted to reruns of the series Malý pitaval z velkého města, followed by the 1989 Czechoslovak crime series Dobrodružství kriminalistiky.
Friday evenings remain unchanged, with two episodes of Máme rádi Česko continuing to air (from 4 September).
Sunday prime time is reserved for the reality show Zrádci. Prima has not yet announced the exact launch date for the third season, but it is expected to begin sometime in September.
The programmes Inkognito and the early-evening show Prostřeno (from 24 August) will also continue.
A new addition will be Sportovní zprávy, a sports news programme being introduced in connection with the launch of the Prima sport channel.
Later in the autumn, viewers can also expect the continuation of Farma Vojty Kotka. The date has not yet been announced. The crime series Vraždy v Kutné hoře is also in preparation, starring Eva Podzimková as an investigator who is also raising twins.

TV Prima programming schedule for autumn 2026; Source: MediaGuru.cz

“The outlook for the coming autumn season confirms our strategy of investing in high-quality content across our platforms over the long term. We are strengthening our own Czech productions, expanding our offering with the new Prima sport channel and, together with the prima+ platform, creating a modern media ecosystem that offers viewers content exactly when and where they want to watch it,” said Lukáš Kubát, CEO of the Prima Group.

“Every day of the week, we will offer a strong programming pillar, ranging from family series and crime dramas to entertainment, major reality shows and Czech films,” added Alex Ruzek, Chief Broadcasting & Radio Officer of the Prima Group.

Programme Launch Dates

Polabí from 25 August on Prima, from 18 August on prima+
Kriminálka Slapy: Pod hladinou 2 from 26 August on Prima; the entire season is already available on prima+
Ano, šéfe! from 27 August on Prima, from 20 August on prima+
Zákony vlka 3 from 29 August on Prima, from 22 August on prima+
Prostřeno! from 24 August on Prima, with five new episodes every Monday on prima+
Show Jana Krause from 25 August on Prima
Máme rádi Česko, the anniversary 20th season, from 4 September on Prima
Zrádci from September on Prima, with advance premieres on prima+

Selection of autumn programmes on Prima’s thematic channels

Prima Cool

Futurama (Season 11): The animated series returns after more than ten years. The new episodes retain the show’s original satirical humour while also reflecting topics such as the COVID pandemic and cryptocurrencies.
Duchové: The American adaptation of the British sitcom. A young couple inherits a country estate inhabited by a group of ghosts from different historical periods.
Belzebubové: An animated family sitcom based on the comic by Finnish author JP Ahonen. It follows the everyday life of an unconventional family headed by Beelzebub himself.
Comedy Club: New episodes of the stand-up show following the premiere episodes of Partička.
Taková moderní rodinka: An American sitcom about three interconnected families and their everyday lives.
Pán a jeho plán: A comedy starring Matt LeBlanc as a building contractor trying to balance family and working life.
Autosalon: The motoring magazine enters a new season with a revamped format and new presenter Štěpánka Mottlová.
Fotr na tripu XII: A new season of Pepa Vrtal’s travel show, this time taking viewers along the legendary American Route 66.

Prima Max

Austrálie: A historical romantic drama starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, set during World War II.
Chyť mě, když to dokážeš: Steven Spielberg’s crime drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio, inspired by the true story of con man Frank Abagnale.
Klan Gucci: A biographical drama about the Gucci family, starring Lady Gaga.
Marťan: Ridley Scott’s sci-fi film starring Matt Damon as an astronaut stranded on Mars.
James Bond: The autumn schedule will also feature a series of films about Agent 007.
Hrozba smrti: A new version of the 1989 action film Road House.
Challengers: A sports drama starring Zendaya, set in the world of professional tennis.
Nouzový kód: A thriller about the hijacking of an aircraft during a flight from Berlin to Paris.
Quiz Lady: A comedy about two sisters who enter a television quiz show in an attempt to solve their financial problems.

Prima Krimi

Vraždy ve Splitu: A new German-Croatian crime series following homicide investigators in Split.
Stíny smrti: The continuation of a French crime series focusing on unsolved crimes.
Castle na zabití: An American crime series starring Nathan Fillion as a writer who works with the police. It will begin again from Season 1 this autumn.

Prima Love

Všechny barvy lásky: A new Portuguese telenovela combining romance, family secrets and crime storylines.
Mrazivý plán: A thriller about a woman who discovers that her own husband wants to kill her.
Stín nevěry: A story of manipulation and betrayal that reveals the darker side of a romantic relationship.
V osidlech důvěry: A film inspired by the real-life murder case of Heidi Broussard.
Ve spárech terapeutky: A thriller about a married couple who become victims of manipulation.
Záhady pro Maddie: Pro vraždu stiskněte 1: A crime-romance film in which the protagonist investigates a murder following a mysterious phone call.

Prima Zoom

Tajuplný svět zvuků s Davidem Attenboroughem: A three-part documentary series exploring the importance of sound in the animal kingdom.
Norské domy snů (Season 11): The continuation of the popular series about building and renovating homes in the Norwegian countryside.
Nejluxusnější cesty vlakem: A travel series with Alan Cumming focusing on railway journeys.
Zapomenutí dobrodruzi českých dějin: A new Czech documentary series introducing lesser-known figures from Czech history.
Utajené příběhy českých dějin VI: Another season of the documentary series devoted to historical mysteries.
Uranové legendy: A new Czech feature-length documentary focusing on the history of the uranium industry.

Prima Show

Shopaholičky: A Czech reality show in which contestants create outfits based on a given theme.
Svatba na první pohled Austrálie (Season 13): The continuation of the social experiment.
Zrádci UK (Season 3): The British version of the strategic reality show.
Zrádci USA (Season 3): The American version of the strategic reality show.
Ano, šéfe s Gordonem Ramsaym USA (Season 10): New episodes of the programme in which the famous chef helps struggling restaurants.
Dračí záchranáři: An animated series for children.
Jurský svět: An animated series inspired by the Jurassic World film franchise.

CNN Prima News

České zájmy v Evropě – speciál z Bruselu: The opening programme of the election coverage, focusing on European issues.
Partie: Měsíc do voleb: A special edition of the political discussion programme one month before the municipal and Senate elections.
K Věci – volební rozhovory: Profile interviews with the leaders of political parties and movements.
Předvolební debaty: At least two major debates per week during the election campaign.
Volební centrum: Special election coverage featuring results, analyses, commentary and augmented-reality elements.

Prima Star

Vraždy, které šokovaly: A true-crime series about women convicted of murder or attempted murder.
Dánské zločiny: A documentary series about Denmark’s most significant criminal cases.
Ženy, které zabíjely: A documentary series focusing on Denmark’s best-known female murderers.
Jake a Tlusťoch: A classic American crime series about a district attorney and a private detective.
Hádej, kdo jsem: An entertainment show in which participants guess the identities of well-known personalities.
Show Jana Krause: A talk show featuring guests from the worlds of culture, sport and public life.
Jak se staví sen: A programme focusing on home makeovers.
Prostřeno! (retro episodes): Archive episodes of the culinary reality show.
More information can be found in this document.

Source: mediaguru.cz

CANADA INTRODUCES A GROUNDBREAKING MECHANISM TO BLOCK PIRACY WEBSITES – EVEN THOSE THAT DO NOT YET EXIST

The fight against the illegal distribution of audiovisual content on the internet has reached unprecedented levels in Canada. The country’s Federal Court has issued an injunction that goes significantly beyond previous practice: in addition to currently active piracy platforms, it also targets websites that had not even been launched at the time of the ruling.

The order follows a joint lawsuit brought by Netflix, Disney and Warner Bros., in collaboration with the Canadian telecoms operators Rogers and TVA.

According to information from the TorrentFreak website, Canadian internet service providers – specifically Bell, Telus and TekSavvy – are required to immediately block access to an initial list of 18 domains and subdomains. This list includes, in particular, popular streaming sites such as 123Movies and FMovies, as well as a number of paid IPTV services.

This sets a precedent illustrating how quickly regulatory requirements for ISPs can change and what demands may be placed on European operators in future as part of copyright enforcement.

How the ‘Expanded Scope’ mechanism works

A key element of the decision is a simplified procedure for the ongoing updating of the blocking list, known as ‘Expanded Scope’. The previous model was a lengthy process for copyright holders: every time they identified a new alternative domain or a clone of a pirate site, they had to go through the entire court proceedings and obtain a new court order.

The new approach significantly shortens this process. Film studios and television companies can now add new piracy platforms to the blocking list virtually independently. All they need to do is submit a statutory declaration confirming that the specific website meets the court’s criteria – namely, that its primary purpose is the unauthorised distribution of protected content.\n\nIf none of the internet service providers concerned raises a formal objection within five working days, the new domain is automatically included in the block. The entire process requires no further court proceedings or a judge’s signature.

From the perspective of the studios involved, this represents a dramatic acceleration in the fight against digital piracy, which naturally adapts to the speed with which the operators of pirate websites themselves respond to blocking measures – usually by immediately launching new domains.

Net neutrality under pressure: operators’ concerns

Representatives of the entertainment industry describe the new mechanism as a key tool in the fight against the rapid proliferation of mirror sites. However, digital rights advocates and some operators are significantly more sceptical.

The Canadian ISP TekSavvy, which was one of the few to have actively challenged the country’s first blocking orders in the past, did not file a formal legal objection this time, though it did publicly distance itself from the order. On its page dedicated to regulatory compliance, the company emphasised that blocking orders of this type constitute a serious infringement of the principles of net neutrality and alter the very fundamental mission of internet service providers – whose historical role has been to transmit data traffic without any discrimination based on content.

The question of where the line lies between the enforcement of rights and operator neutrality remains open. The court order itself is valid for a period of two years. Its actual impact will depend on how many new domains Hollywood studios manage to add to the blocking list without direct judicial oversight before this period expires.

Source: procomputing.cz

THOUSANDS OF WEBSITES TAKEN DOWN FOR ILLEGAL WORLD CUP STREAMS

According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), nearly 3,000 websites were blocked or seized for illegally streaming World Cup matches.

In the US alone, more than 1,000 domains were blocked during the tournament, with a similar number also blocked in Colombia. Law enforcement agencies in the US and across South America carried out this operation as part of investigations known as ‘Operation Offsides’ and ‘Operation Red Card’.

Ivan J. Arvelo, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Centre (NIPRCC), stated that the unauthorised streaming of World Cup matches infringes intellectual property rights and “supports criminal organisations”.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced at the end of last month that it had taken down 400 websites in connection with the illegal streaming of the World Cup. Hundreds more have now been taken down or blocked. “The ongoing efforts to seize more than a thousand domains used for the illegal streaming of the World Cup confirm the government’s commitment to enforcing intellectual property rights and ensuring the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said A. Tysen Duva, Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the DOJ. Enforcement of these measures is primarily overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal agency of which the NIPRCC forms part.

Illegal broadcasting of sporting events often takes place via websites or sites created specifically for a given event. Companies and broadcasters estimatethat this activity costs them billions of dollars annually.

Given its global popularity, football is, according to analysts, pirated on an “industrial scale”. The rising cost of broadcasting rights contracts for matches has led to higher prices for fans at home, particularly if they choose to pay for multiple services to watch their team’s matches. This has led some fans to turn to illegal streams of major matches to avoid these costs.

Charles Rivkin, chairman of the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) – an organisation focused on combating digital piracy which assisted with the police operation – said on Monday that the World Cup is “the sort of global live event that pirate networks are quick to exploit for their own gain”.

The crackdown on illegal streaming was also supported by FIFA, which organises the World Cup, as well as beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Warner Brothers.

A large proportion of FIFA’s revenue comes from the sale of broadcasting rights to various global media networks wishing to broadcast the matches on television. Neither FIFA nor the other media organisations responded immediately to requests for comment.

The Colombian Attorney General’s Office stated that it had even made several arrests in connection with these operations.

Four members of the so-called ‘cybercrime group’ Los Ciberinfiltrados were arrested for allegedly illegally obtaining and distributing access to World Cup matches. A further 830 websites were also blocked in Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and the Dominican Republic.

In addition to illegal streaming, the Colombian police carried out “nationwide search and seizure operations” targeting counterfeit sportswear.

The Ministry of Justice stated that 11 people had been arrested and convicted in the country for the illegal manufacture and distribution of counterfeit sports goods.

Source: bbc.com

FACT AND SKY TARGET IRISH IPTV RESELLERS

FACT and Sky have issued legal warnings to 10 suspected illegal IPTV resellers in Ireland as part of their latest action against so-called dodgy boxes.

The cease-and-desist notices were served on individuals operating in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Laois and Limerick, following investigations by FACT and Sky. The resellers have been told to stop selling illegal IPTV subscriptions or face possible civil proceedings or referral to the Gardaí.

The services are believed to have supplied thousands of end-users with unauthorised access to premium TV, films and live sport. FACT also warned that people using illegal services could have their details identified and passed to authorities.

Nick Sumner, FACT Investigation Manager, said illegal streaming depended on “a chain of people who promote, sell and provide access to unauthorised content”.

“Resellers are often the direct link between illegal streaming operations and members of the public,” he said. “They sell subscriptions locally through personal recommendations, social media and messaging services, while exposing customers to unreliable services and wider risks involving fraud, malware and the misuse of personal information.”

The action follows a series of Irish enforcement moves by Sky and FACT. Earlier this year, Sky obtained a High Court order requiring Revolut to disclose the details of 304 subscribers and 10 resellers linked to the IPTV Is Easy service. Sky subsequently sent cease-and-desist letters to around 200 individuals who had paid for illegal subscriptions.

In September 2025, FACT and Sky also served legal notices on 15 shops and resellers across nine counties accused of selling illegal streaming subscriptions, supplying configured devices or referring customers to resellers.

There have also been recent court outcomes in Ireland. In July 2025, the High Court ordered County Wexford man David Dunbar, who ran IPTV Is Easy, to pay €480,000 in damages to Sky, with a further €30,000 fine for contempt of court. In 2024, Naas Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Kildare-based King Kong Media operator Ciaran Donovan to three years and four months in prison, with the final two years suspended, for money laundering offences linked to more than €900,000 in criminal proceeds.

Matthew Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, said: “Illegal streaming is not a victimless crime – it damages jobs, drains investment from the Irish creative industries, and places viewers at risk. It also puts money into the hands of criminals.”

The campaign comes as broadcasters and rights holders continue to focus enforcement on illegal IPTV resellers and customers, particularly around live sport, where piracy remains a significant challenge.

Source: broadbandtvnews.com

CZECHS SPEND OVER FOUR HOURS IN FRONT OF THE TELEVISION, OF WHICH 37 MINUTES ARE SPENT STREAMING OR PLAYING GAMES

Television broadcasts still account for the bulk of the time spent in front of the TV screen. However, people are increasingly using their televisions to watch streaming services, online videos or play games, according to data provided by Atmedia.

86 per cent of Czech households owna television, which remains the main hub of home entertainment. Official television viewing figures published by Atmedia show that viewers aged 15 and over spend an average of 4 hours and 7 minutes a day in front of the television.

The largest proportion of this time is spent watching television channels. Linear broadcasting accounts for 85 per cent of the total time spent watching television, which corresponds to approximately three and a half hours a day. The remaining 15 per cent – an average of 37 minutes – is spent by viewers on other activities, such as watching online videos, using streaming services, listening to music and podcasts, or playing games.

The share of these activities has been growing steadily over the long term. Whilst in 2015 people spent an average of eight minutes a day on them, five years later this had risen to 21 minutes and now stands at 37 minutes. “Despite this trend, it still accounts for only 15 per cent of the total time people spend in front of the television screen. Television broadcasting therefore remains the primary use of the television,” said Michaela Suráková, managing director of Atmedia.

A more pronounced shift in how the television is used is particularly evident among younger viewers. In the 25 to 34 age group, activities other than watching television account for an average of 55 minutes a day, representing 40 per cent of the time spent in front of the screen. For viewers aged 35 to 44, these activities account for roughly a third of viewing time. By contrast, for the 55+ age group, they account for only eight per cent of time.

The expansion of other ways of using the television is also linked to the growing number of devices connected to the internet. Whilst 35 per cent of households had a TV connected to the internet in 2020, this figure had risen to 59 per cent last year. According to Atmedia, the television is thus gradually transforming into a multimedia device which, in addition to linear broadcasting, offers access to a range of applications and services.

At the same time, the data shows that the television screen remains the preferred device for watching longer video content. 79 per cent of Czechs watch series and programmes lasting up to one hour on their television, whilst for films and programmes longer than an hour, this figure rises to 86 per cent. Short videos, on the other hand, are most commonly watched on smartphones.

Source: mediaguru.cz

WHAT INDUSTRIALIZED ILLEGAL STREAMING IS COSTING THE INDUSTRY IN 2026

In this clip from her keynote fireside chat at Streaming Media Connect 2026, Verimatrix Director of Product Management Maria Malinkowitsch offers a snapshot of live-streaming piracy in 2026, what it’s costing major sports rightsholders, why the fragmentation of sports rights and the cost burden on fans is making the industry susceptible to pirates, and how the industrialization of illegal streaming and the rise of “piracy as a service” are adding fuel to the fire and making antipiracy efforts more challenging than ever.

How Piracy Has Evolved

Streaming Media Editor-in-Chief Steve Nathans-Kelly opens the conversation by saying, “Streaming piracy I think is often described as a moving target or, even more colorfully, as a game of whack-a-mole. And the pirates are always doing whatever they can to stay out of your way or a step ahead of you.” He asks Malinkowitsch to talk about how piracy has evolved, how much money the industry loses to illegal streaming, and what these factors have meant for anti-piracy strategies.

Malinkowitsch says that the streaming industry is losing $67 billion to illegal IPTV platforms these days. “And if you want to compare it to something apart from it being the whole budget of a small- to mid-size European country, it actually, funny enough, equals exactly the amount which is estimated in 2026 for sports rights globally. So basically the money you make for sports rights is in parallel being completely stolen by pirates,” she notes. “We can also clearly state that piracy has mostly moved away—when it comes really to a high- and premium-level content—from the torrents.”

Torrents and downloadable content have decreased by more than 40% over the last few years, Malinkowitsch says, with a shift toward even “pay TV” offerings coming from piracy along with an excellent user experience. Streamers need to follow “how the user behavior changes. … And looking at how segregated [the] sports market has become, specifically when it comes to European football—soccer—or also other rights where you really need a bunch of subscriptions to watch all the matches you would like to see, that’s leading to a lot of frustration with the subscribers,” she explains. “Most pirates, when asked why they’re using these piracy offerings, it’s not price anymore. It’s really convenience and user experience.”

It’s Easier and Cheaper to Be a Pirate Now

Nathans-Kelly brings up the concepts of “the industrialization of illegal streaming” and “piracy as a service.” He asks, “Can you describe a little bit about what that is, what it means, and how it complicates anti-piracy?”

Malinkowitsch notes that 10 or 15 years ago, “you had to be a hacker to start piracy as a business. Nowadays, you really can go on the dark web and acquire a complete platform with most beautiful recommendation engines, layout, and a platform which looks like the best in class like Netflix and Disney+. And what you get in this platform would be thousands of channels, all of the sports you want in brilliant quality, 4K, everything, and starting at as little as say five bucks per month, which is kind of in no relation to what you pay for potentially five sports channels and some premium VOD.”

The new methods for retrieving and stealing content have facilitated this shift. It’s now “popular to take the content directly from the content delivery networks, from the CDNs, and make the legitimate content provider whom you are stealing the content from pay for the traffic,” Malinkowitsch says. Pirates keep their costs low; they are only paying the hacker for running the platform.

Companies Have Difficulty Competing

“And so as long as this goes on, legitimate streamers can’t compete with that, really,” Nathans-Kelly laments.

“It is enormously hard really to compete,” Malinkowitsch agrees. She points to the differing legislation surrounding piracy around the world. “So for instance, in Switzerland, using piracy is not even illegal. And from that perspective, people, when really watching these piracy streams, they don’t feel like they’re committing a crime. They even push back by saying, ‘Listen, you made it so hard for me. You made me pay, I don’t know, 150 bucks in five different subscriptions. And the only thing I have from that, I cannot find the stream I want to watch.’ So it’s really kind of pushing the conscience to be on the right side.”

Malinkowitsch concludes, “And in the end, obviously that leads to enormous revenue losses, because when we think about the fight with churn, with the cost of a subscriber acquisition and then losing all of that to platforms which are so much cheaper, is really bitter for the companies running it, indeed.”

Source: streamingmedia.com

CZECH TELEVISION HAS MAINTAINED ITS LEADING POSITION AT THE HALWAY-THROUGH POINT OF THE YEAR, GROWING THANKS TO SPORTS BROADCASTING

Czech Television’s channels recorded the highest share of the television market in the first half of 2026. Compared with the same period last year, they were helped in particular by sports coverage of the Winter Olympics and the Ice Hockey and Football World Cups.

In the first half of 2026, Czech Television stations recorded the highest share of the television market in the general audience aged 15 and over, both for all-day viewing and during prime time. They also achieved the highest share in the 18–69 age group for all-day viewing. In the 15–54 age group for both all-day and evening viewing, and in the 18–69 age group for prime-time viewing, the Nova group had the highest share. This is shown by data from the official ATO audience measurement.

The results for the first half of the year were primarily influenced by the broadcast of the Winter Olympics, the Ice Hockey World Championship and the still-ongoing Football World Cup, which boosted the share of the ČT sport channel and contributed to the Czech Television channels gaining more than three percentage points year-on-year in the first half of the year, reaching an overall share of 32.48 per cent (15+, all-day). Their share was also three percentage points higher in other viewer groups during the first six months of the year. Such a significant year-on-year increase meant that the leading commercial television groups lagged behind last year’s first-half results.

ČT sport the standout performer

Thanks to the aforementioned sporting events, ČT sport was the channel with the highest year-on-year growth. Its share in the first half of the year exceeded six per cent (6.14 per cent, 15) and rose by 2.3 percentage points year-on-year. The market shares of ČT2 (to 4.45 per cent) and ČT24 (to 5.07 per cent) also increased by half a percentage point. The news channel CNN Prima News also continued to grow, rising by 0.3 percentage points to 2.75 per cent (15), as did Prima Krimi, which rose by 0.2 percentage points to 4.64 per cent. The ongoing football championship helped Nova Action in June, which was reflected in its half-year average share rising by 0.2 percentage points to 1.69 per cent.

The channel with the highest share of the television market remains TV Nova’s main channel with 16.89 per cent (15), ahead of ČT1 (15.69 per cent) and TV Prima’s main channel (9.93 per cent). With its half-year results, ČT sport secured the position of the fourth-largest channel in the first half of 2026.

The programme of the half-year: the ice hockey match against Canada

The Czech ice hockey team’s match against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Turin and Cortina became the most-watched programme of the half-year. The match, broadcast on 18 February, was watched by 2.15 million viewers aged 4 and over on TV alone, with a share of 59 per cent. Other Olympic sports – women’s snowboarding, the women’s 5,000-metre speed skating event and the Czech Republic v Switzerland ice hockey match – also attracted the largest audiences. Rounding off the top five most-watched programmes was the ice hockey match between the Czech Republic and Canada, this time at the World Championships in May, with 1.8 million viewers (4).

Source: mediaguru.cz

ONE IN FIVE ILLEGAL STREAMERS HIT BY MALWARE, RESEARCH FINDS

Nearly one in five people who illegally stream television, films or live sport have suffered a malware infection in the past year, according to new research published by the BeStreamWise anti-piracy campaign.

BeStreamWise is a cross-industry initiative backed by BBC, ITV, Sky, the Premier League and enforcement partners including the IPO and Crimestoppers.

The survey found 18% of illegal streamers reported malware infections on their devices over the previous 12 months, adding to growing evidence of the cybersecurity risks associated with piracy. Previous BeStreamWise research found that 41% of illegal streamers had their bank details compromised, with victims losing an average of £1,680.

The latest findings also highlight potential risks for employers. More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents who admitted accessing pirated content said they had done so using a work-issued smartphone, while 58% had streamed illegally on a work laptop, potentially exposing corporate systems to malware and data theft.

To coincide with the research, BeStreamWise has opened a one-day “device amnesty” pop-up in London’s Soho, where consumers can have their devices checked for malicious software and receive cybersecurity advice from independent experts.

James Bores, an independent cybersecurity expert, warned that pirate streaming sites pose far greater risks than legitimate services.

“Illegal streaming sites and apps sit outside the security checks that legitimate platforms go through. This means the risk of running into malware, or being scammed into handing over information or money, is much higher,”

he said.

“The fact that one in five illegal streamers have had a malware infection in the past year shows that these aren’t rare. Once malware is on a device, it’s no longer yours: it’s under the control of the criminals behind it. That means everything you use the device for – every password you enter, every message you send and all your private information – is potentially visible to them.”

The campaign also published anonymised case studies illustrating the financial impact of illegal streaming. One user lost more than £2,000 after entering PayPal details to upgrade an illicit sports streaming service, while another lost £80 and had a social media account compromised after attempting to watch a newly released film on a pirate website.

Source: broadbandtvnews.com

NOVA INCREASED ITS TURNOVER BY A THIRD LAST YEAR, WITH NET PROFIT APPROACHING TWO BILLION

The TV Nova Group’s turnover increased by 2.5 billion crowns last year. Net profit was also higher, approaching the 2 billion CZK mark. Television advertising remains the main source of revenue, although its total volume fell slightly last year.

In 2025, the TV Nova media group increased its revenue by just under a third to a total of 11.65 billion crowns, representing an improvement of 2.5 billion crowns compared with the previous year. The company’s net profit also rose, climbing to CZK 1.88 billion, which was 58 per cent higher year-on-year than in 2024. This is according to the company’s 2025 annual report filed with the Collection of Documents.

A look at the revenue structure shows that linear TV advertising on channels broadcast via terrestrial transmitters still accounts for more than half of total revenue, amounting to nearly 5 billion CZK. Year-on-year, however, its volume fell by just under two per cent.

Conversely, revenue from online advertising and subscription sales on the Oneplay platform is growing the fastest. By the end of 2025, this stood at CZK 1.45 billion, an increase of 88 per cent year-on-year.

Other revenue comes primarily from broadcasters providing content on a licence basis.

TV Nova’s Chief Executive, Daniel Grunt, stated in the annual report that the group has managed to repeatedly improve its financial results in recent years thanks to its timely digital transformation. “Despite general forecasts of a decline in the television industry worldwide, we have achieved very strong growth in both revenue and profit for the Nova Group several times in succession in recent years, thanks to our timely and rapid digital transformation,” he wrote.

He cited the launch of the Oneplay service – created by merging the Voyo streaming service and O2 TV – as the most significant event of the year. “Today, Oneplay is the largest streaming and IPTV service in the Czech Republic, and our viewers spend an average of 35.6 hours a week using it,” he stated, adding that Oneplay is a strategic pillar of the Nova Group’s future. The development of the service was also linked to the acquisition of O2 TV, which TV Nova completed on 1 December 2025.

The CEO pointed out that, despite the growth of streaming services, linear television remains an important part of the company’s strategy. “Our strategy at present is not to choose between the linear and digital environments, but to integrate them in a meaningful way.”

In the coming years, Nova intends to continue investing in content, technology and artificial intelligence. “We want to become the first domestic producer to fully utilise the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence,” Daniel Grunt added.

In 2025, the Nova Group achieved a 36.7 per cent share in the 15–54 age group during prime time and a 34 per cent share across the whole day, showing year-on-year growth in both metrics.

Source: mediaguru.cz

PRIMA GROUP’S REVENUE, INCLUDING RADIO AND DIGITAL, REACHED 7.2 BILLION CZK LAST YEAR

The Prima Media Group ended 2025 with consolidated revenue of 7.195 billion koruna and an EBITDA of 1.803 billion CZK.

The Prima Group has published its financial results for 2025. Consolidated revenue for the fifteen companies comprising the group reached 7.195 billion CZK, whilst EBITDA stood at 1.803 billion CZK. Consolidated turnover rose by just under four per cent year-on-year. EBITDA is up by five per cent.

According to CEO Lukáš Kubát, the results confirm the soundness of the strategy focused on developing a multi-platform media business.

“The Prima Group today represents a multi-platform ecosystem that connects television broadcasting, streaming, radio, digital media and social media. It is precisely this ability to reach audiences and users across platforms and target groups that is one of the main reasons for our sustained long-term growth. The results for 2025 confirm that our strategy, based on a strong product, effective monetisation and the development of new digital products, is working. “We regard exceeding the seven-billion-koruna mark in consolidated revenue as a significant milestone, and at the same time a commitment to continue developing all parts of the group,” said Kubát.

The television segment remains the group’s most significant source of revenue. Prima’s own stations and the television channels marketed by Media Club accounted for more than two-thirds of total revenue.

The radio business, represented by Media Club, also continues to hold a strong position. Revenue from radio advertising and related activities reached almost one billion crowns.

The digital segment also showed growth. This area encompasses not only the group’s online projects, including prima+ and CNN Prima News, but also other digital media marketed through Media Club and Impression Media. Total revenue from online media approached the 600 million koruna mark.

Other services provided by the group also generated a similar volume of revenue.

At the same time, Prima is continuing to develop its digital business. This year, it established a separate streaming division, which will be responsible for the further development of the prima+ platform and other digital products. The new organisational unit is intended to support the group’s growth in the streaming sector, which the company’s management describes as one of its main strategic priorities alongside traditional television broadcasting.

Source: mediaguru.cz