Central European Media Enterprises

History

Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. was co-founded in 1991 by Americans Ronald Lauder and Mark Palmer in Germany as CEDC GmbH (Central European Development Corporation), and later changed its name and reincorporated in the Netherlands as Central European Media Enterprises (CME). It started broadcasting its first channel in the Czech Republic in 1994.

On 23 March 2009, Time Warner announced it would invest $241.5 million in CME for a 31% stake. By 2Q 2013, Time Warner had acquired a controlling interest in CME in a series of transactions.

In October 2019, AT&T signed an agreement to sell WarnerMedia's stake to PPF. The transaction valued at $2.1 billion was completed in October 2020.

In February 2010 CME has reached an agreement to acquire bTV, Bulgaria's first national private television station for $400 million from News Corporation.

On 14 February 2022, Central European Media Enterprises announced buying RTL Hrvatska from RTL Group for €50 million. The transaction was closed on 1 June 2022.

Operations

CME is the broadcast market leader in most countries where it has television stations. CME currently operates 46 television channels broadcasting to approximately 49 million people across 7 geographic segments. CME develops and produces content for its television channels, and its content is also consumed through subscription and advertising VOD. It also operates the Voyo streaming platform that provides on demand local content in all of CME’s geographic regions. Since November 2024, Voyo has also operated in Serbia.

Since 2021, original series and feature films have been launched on Voyo under the brand Voyo Originals, featuring content that is exclusively accessible on this platform. For example, the crime miniseires The Roubal Case was inspired by the true story of serial killer Ivan Roubal. Another example is the comedy series Sex O'Clock.

On February 25, 2025, it was announced that Voyo would be merged with O2 TV in the Czech market under the new brand name Oneplay.

CME Content Academy

In 2022 Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. launched CME Content Academy. The two-year course is designed to provide participants with a foundation across various film-making disciplines, enabling students to become TV professionals.

The practice is divided according to the production scheme of TV Nova, POP TV, PRO TV, bTV, RTL and TV Markíza and takes place in Brno, Prague, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Bucharest, Sofia and Bratislava.

CME Cares

In 2023, CME launched its ESG strategy branded CME Cares. This initiative was created to communicate CME’s efforts to leave a lasting positive impact on its environment, communities, and societies. CME Cares aims to offer socially responsible content, implement sustainable production practices, aid underprivileged communities, and follow transparent business practices.

Television channels

Bulgaria

• bTV
• bTV Cinema
• bTV Comedy
• bTV Action
• bTV Story
• Ring

Croatia

• RTL
• RTL 2
• RTL Kockica
• RTL Living
• RTL Crime
• RTL Passion
• RTL Adria
• RTL Croatia World

Czech Republic

• TV Nova
• Nova Cinema
• Nova Action
• Nova Fun
• Nova Krimi
• Nova Lady
• Nova Sport 1
• Nova Sport 2
• Nova Sport 3
• Nova Sport 4
• Nova Sport 5
• Nova Sport 6
• Nova International

Romania and Moldova

• Pro TV (also broadcast in the Republic of Moldova as a simulcast feed)
• Acasă (also broadcast in the Republic of Moldova as a simulcast feed)
• Acasă Gold
• Pro Arena
• Pro Cinema
• Pro TV International
• Pro TV Chisinau

Slovakia

• Markíza
• Markíza Doma
• Markíza Dajto
• Markíza Krimi
• Markíza Klasik
• Markíza International

Slovenia

• Pop TV
• Kanal A
• Brio
• Oto
• Kino
• Astra

VOD services

• Voyo

References

References

1. "CME Form 10-K filed February 9, 2016".
2. (2020-10-14). "PPF Group buys CME, puts Stoessel in charge".
3. "History of Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. – FundingUniverse".
4. "Time Warner Inc. Completes US$241.5 Million Investment for 31% Interest in Central European Media Enterprises Ltd., A Leading Central & Eastern European Media Company".
5. Chamonikolas, Krystof. "CME Rallies as Time Warner Buying Shares Shows 'Confidence'". Bloomberg.
6. (October 28, 2019). "AT&T Chief on HBO Max, DirecTV Sale Prospects and John Stankey's Future". Variety.
7. "PPF Signs Agreement to Acquire CME".
8. (2020-10-14). "PPF Group buys CME, puts Stoessel in charge".
9. BIRN. (2010-02-22). "Bulgaria: bTV Sold to CME in $400 Million Deal".
10. (February 14, 2022). "Prodan RTL Hrvatska". [[Hrvatska radiotelevizija.
11. (February 14, 2022). "RTL Grupa prodaje RTL Hrvatska CME-u". [[RTL (Croatian TV channel).
12. "CME Acquires RTL Croatia".
13. "CME website".
14. "Voyo osvaja regiju: Od sada i u Srbiji gledatelji mogu uživati u filmovima, serijama i dokumentarcima".
15. (2023-03-10). "Sex O'Clock". IMDB.
16. (2024-12-27). "The best movies and series on Voyo".
17. Sedláčková, Daniela. (2025-02-25). "VOYO AND O2TV WILL END. ONEPLAY WILL COME INSTEAD".
18. "CME Content Academy".
19. Hrivnáková, Lenka. (2023-05-31). "ESG INITIATIVE CME CARES WILL BE LED BY SOŇA SCHWARZOVÁ AND HANA DE GOEIJ".