What future for ailing digital satellite TV platforms?

Zygmunt Solorz, the owner of the largest private television station, Polsat and digital platform Polsat Cyfrowy, said he does not exclude the possibility of merging with - or buying shares in - the biggest national digital platform, Nowa Cyfra Plus, which belongs to Canal Plus Polska. "Merging platforms is the only way for them to start making a profit...As soon as I receive an offer I will consider the possibilities," he said. According to analysts, only if Polsat created a consortium could it afford to acquire Canal Plus Polska, which alternatively might be purchased by investment funds. The sale of the Polish division of Canal Plus is on the cards as its cash strapped owner, Vivendi Universal, has already declared that it was to sell it, the only question is the price. Canal Plus Polska is has another problem - its debts. Last year alone the platform lost zl. 289.8 million. Perhaps the platform's greatest asset is its 700,000 subscribers. (Reczpospolita, p. B5) M.T.