On October 28th, TV Puls launches new programs focused on news and entertainment. The TV broadcaster who has been doing poorly in recent years, wants to fight for the market thanks to the know-how and capital from News Corp., its 35-percent owner.
“We want to be number one. But we have a long way to go. Before we fight with TVN and Polsat, we want to win with TV4, which is possible at the end of 2008”, Dariusz Dabski, TV Puls chairman and owner of 5 percent of shares said.
Franciscans are still the company’s majority owner. In order to win with TV4, TV Puls would have to triple the number of viewers. Last week, it had 0.56 percent of the market while TV4 1.9 percent, according to AGB Nielsen Media Research.
Rupert Murdoch invested at least USD 50m in TV Puls. The company employs 250 people who are paid 50-100 percent more than before.
“We may get even at the end of next year, or in two years’ time. We want to be successful and will invest as much as is necessary to reach this goal”, Dariusz Dabski said.
First, the broadcaster needs to increase the number
of viewers. Today, it is available to only 16 percent of the Poles, and jointly
with cable TV and satellites – 56 percent. Puls took part in tenders to get new
frequencies. Before, it changed its profile from social-religious into general
one.