Pavel Stanchev
IMPORTANT LEADES OF THE GROWING EASTERN EUROPEAN MARKET WILL MEET AT NATPE BUDAPEST.
TVMAS interviewed some of the prominent figures who make important contributions to the television industry by occupying leadership positions in various media companies and who will be speaking as speakers sharing valuable information about the region
EASTERN EUROPE has seen significant growth in several sector, including media. Speakers and companies from the media sector will be present at the event to establish relationships in search of business that provide continuity to the growth of the companies they lead.
‘Hungry remains one of the strongest cable markets: 90% of private households have access to pay TV, even as cable and IPTV operators increase their rates’
‘The reality TV genre with shows like Asia Express, Game of Chefs and Dancing with the Stars are key drivers, but we also rely on game shows and series’
‘Hungary remains one of the strongest cable markets: 90% of private households have access to pay TV, even as cable and IPTV operators increase their rates’
Pavel Stanchev is a notable figure in the media industry in Eastern Europe and one of the most important representatives of the host country of NATPE BUDAPEST.
TV2 consolidated its success in 2023 mainly with reality shows. Could we say that TV2 is the home of this genre in Hungary? How much do you invest anually in these formats versus the profitability they bring to the channel?
‘Consolidation’ is certainly not the right word for TV2 Media Group in the last 5 years. I would use instead ‘Expansion’. Because we continued to increase our linear channels audience in 2023 in both Hungary and Slovenia where we own te Planet TV Group. In Hungary, our group achieved 8.7% in prime time, or +2% (A18-64). More important, our flagship channel TV2 won the prime-time gold medal in all demographics (A18-59, A18-49, A4+), an unseen success for two decades, with 13.1% average prime time share (A18-59). The reality genre with shows like Asia Express, Game of Chefs and Dancing with the Stars are key drivers, but we also rely on game shows and series. Our morning infotainment show Mokka is the absolute champion and our daily tabloid magazine Tenyek Plusz became a great lead-in to TV2’s prime time.
The cable business has been hit by streaming platforms. What is the reality for the group in this sector?
In Hungary, the linear TV business still has sunny days ahead, as the streaming hasn’t reached the highs we witness on other markets. In 2023 at least 77,9% of the viewing was dedicated to TV vs up to 22,1% to non-linear viewing (A18-59). But we also invest in our digital platform TV2 Play which has over 1.7 million registered users. And, differently from many other streamers, it is profitable. Also, Hungary remains one of the soundest cable markets with 90% of the private households having access to pay-TV, event with the cable and IPTV operators raising their fees.
Finally. In a panorama of wars, what position does TV2 have in the news editiorial line? I ask you this question because i know that you are also a journalist and many channels have turned the news into a field of polarization at the service of politicians and investors.
TV2’s editorial line puts the man of the street in the center of our preoccupation. Fortunately, or often unfortunately we don’t lack events for our newscast. But our main question every day is what that means for the people who are watching us. I think this explains our success, the closeness to our viewers.
Redacción TVMAS