New interactive TV station to be based on telephone call charges

In May Telestar plans to launch a 24 hour interactive television channel iTV at a cost of between zł. 3.5-4 million. Company representatives claim that the new channel would break-even six months after being launched. iTV would offer TV shows, games, astrological predictions, cooking and cosmetic advice to its audience. In order to take part in the program viewers would either have to call a premium rate 0-700 number, or send an SMS. The new channel will broadcast from a satellite and be part of cable operators offer. The financial forecasts are based on similar projects in the UK and the rapid developments of premium telephone rate services. The value of such services have been estimated at over zł. 1 billion per annum. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B3) M.M.