U.S. Firm Signs Cable TV Pact With Poland
The Polish government and Chase Enterprises of Hartford, Conn., announced plans today for a $900-million joint venture to bring cable television to Poland.
The 20-year venture is designed to provide cable service to Poland’s 8 million homes. More than 90% of Poland’s homes have television sets.
The first phase of construction will begin within months in Warsaw and Krakow.
Chase enterprises said initial investment will be $270 million.
David Chase, a Polish Jew who escaped from a Nazi concentration camp at age 14, heads the U.S. company that holds 70% of the venture, Polska Telewizja Kablowa.
The remainder is held by Poltelkab SA, a partnership of entities of the Polish government.
Polish Ambassador Jan Kinast said the venture is “proof that Poland . . . is fully open to cooperation abroad.”
The 18-channel, 450-megahertz system is expected to carry such satellite delivered services as CNN, ESPN and MTV as well as Polish programming of movies, drama and sports.
The new system will represent a huge increase over Poland’s two national television stations, each of which now broadcasts only a portion of the day.
The biggest entertainment stories
Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
