When Rupert Murdoch’s company bought a stake of TV Puls, analysts believed it was going to be the billionaire’s foothold in Poland.
“We want to be no. 1. Fast digitalization may make it possible for us”, Dariusz Dabski, TV Puls CEO and the owner of 5 percent of the broadcaster said.
Digital broadcasting would enable the company offer many thematic channels from News Corp.’s portfolio. News Corp. has 35 percent stake of TV Puls.
“If we get the chance, I mean if the digitalization is implemented quickly, we will want to make use of it. We cannot be satisfied with the position of niche TV Puls. We are ready to offer a package of thematic channels immediately”, Dariusz Dabski said.
News Corp has lots of channels, including Fox (films, information, sports, economics) and National Geographic. Rival TVN private broadcaster has 13 channels already. Polsat, another private TV company, is going to offer new channels this year. Public TVP is also going to do it.
Today, TV Puls has 0.63 percent of viewers. It is mainly because of poor access: only 30 percent of the Poles may watch TV Puls, and 77 percent along with satellite platforms and cable television.
“If we are available nationwide, we will be able to fight with the leaders, and not to compete with a broadcaster with 2 percent of viewers”, Dariusz Dabski said.