Geneva/Amsterdam, 10 April 2003: The Nordvision broadcasters, with the coordination of the EBU Television Department, are to make 319 hours of quality programming available to countries in the Baltic region and the Balkans. 

Nordvision Chairman Leif Jakobsson (SVT, Sweden) signed the agreement today at the EBU TV Assembly in Amsterdam.

In a gesture of support and solidarity, YLE (Finland), SVT (Sweden), DR (Denmark), NRK (Norway) and RUV (Iceland) have gathered some of their best drama and children’s programming from recent years, and are offering it to broadcasters in the Baltic region and the Balkans. 

The nine recipients are: LRT (Lithuania), LTV (Latvia), ETV (Estonia), TVR (Romania), BNT (Bulgaria), MKRTV (Macedonia, FYR), RTVSH (Albania), JSBH (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and RTK (Kosovo).

Programmes on offer include 319 hours of popular drama, top crime series, live action films and documentaries for children. Members can pick and choose which titles they wish to broadcast. 

Bjørn Erichsen, Director of Television at the EBU said the Union hopes that other broadcasters will follow suit and make similar packages of their programming available.  "Some Members have already indicated their willingness to help out smaller broadcasters and we will be following up these generous overtures in the coming months.” Anna Vasova, head of Collections and Exchanges in the department, said she was delighted at the quality of the programmes which were put forward, and added: “The offer has been very well received by the Members for which it was intended, and this will be an important tool for them in their competitive markets.”   

The EBU sees a joint benefit in such ventures. Smaller Members get access to a range of appealing programming, which might otherwise be out of their financial reach. And the project opens opportunities for new relations and future cooperation for the donating Members. 

Contact

Anna Vasova
EBU TV Department
Head of Collections and Exchanges
Tel: +41 (0)22 717 2823
vasova@ebu.ch