Canal+, ITI and TVN complete Poland DTH merger
December 19, 2011
Canal+ Group, ITI Group and TVN Group have confirmed a strategic partnership to combine their Polish pay-TV businesses and for Canal+ Group to become a key shareholder in TVN.
This combination of Cyfra+ and TVN’s ‘n’ creates a leading direct-to-home (DTH) platform with an expected combined base of 2.5 million post-paid customers by the end of 2011. Canal+ Group will own 51 per cent of the share capital of the newlycreated pay-TV Company, with TVN Group and UPC owning 32 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.
The new combined digital platform will be managed jointly by Markus Tellenbach (CEO) and Beata Monka (deputy CEO). The new entity will give rise to significant economies of scale and efficiency enhancements. It will create a premium entertainment experience for customers with exclusive content and the latest technology, including the broadest High-Definition offering in the Polish market.
The newly-created pay-TV Company will also cooperate with TVN around content development and production. The partnership will be further strengthened by Canal+ Group becoming a key shareholder in Polish media group TVN alongside ITI.