MTV Adria for sale, CME interested
January 16, 2008
From Branislav Pekic in Rome
US media group CME has emerged as the frontrunner for the acquisition of regional music channel MTV Adria, according to local media reports. CME already owns MTV Romania, as well as commercial broadcasters in Croatia (Nova TV), Slovenia (Pop TV, Kanal A), Romania (Pro TV, Acasa TV, Sport.ro), Slovakia (Markiza, Galaxie Sport), Czech Republic (TV Nova, Galaxie Sport) and in the Ukraine (Studio 1+1, Kino, Citi).
The director of MTV Adria, Marko Benda, did not want to confirm the sale to CME, but admitted that the music channel is up for sale. There is no information so far regarding the asking price. During 2006, MTV Adria registered a loss of E1.35 million. Benda claims that, despite a negative business result, the viewership is growing and that the channel should be in the black during 2009. MTV Adria started broadcasting on 1 September 2005 to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. The channel is distributed regionally via cable as well as on the satellite platforms Digi TV and Total TV.