Eastern Europe gets into the TV picture

Slovenia’s first independent national TV network was launched last month with on-screen identity by Novocom in California.

Pop TV was launched by Central European Media Enterprises (CME), the biggest investor in private commercial TV and radio stations in Eastern Europe.

Romania was also introduced to national commercial television in December, with an on-screen identity by Novocom. Logos for both Pop TV and Pro TV were created by consultancy art director David Henry.

CME plans further operations this year in Hungary and Slovakia, and hopes to penetrate Poland and Ukraine in order to reach an audience of 55 million in six Central European countries by the end of 1997.

“The company’s business objective is to take advantage of the unique opportunities available in broadcasting in Central and Eastern Europe as individual governments approve the privatisation of broadcasting frequencies,” says a CME spokeswoman.

Novocom is looking to expand its London marketing office, says founder and creative director John Ridgway: “We are heading towards looking for designers to work in London.” The 15-year-old Hollywood-based group, whose clients include Sky, NBC and Star TV, is also planning to set up operations in Asia.