TVN 24 viewing figures likely to soar following agreement with UPC

Within the next days UPC cable television operator will start broadcasting TVN 24 and TVN Meteo over its network. After 18 months of hard negotiations the partners have finally reached an agreement under which TVN 24 news channel, controlled by Grupa ITI, will extend its range in cable TV by 60%. None of the parties involved would disclose the provisions of the long negotiated contract. The only comment being Grupa ITI's information that "under the agreement TVN 24 will increase its audience and its revenues from commercials. Grupa ITI launched its paid news channel TVN 24 in 2001. The station's revenues in 2002 reached $5.7 million while its operational loss plus amortization accumulated to $5.3 million. (Parkiet, May 10-12, p. 3) J.K.