Balkan News Corporation

Balkan News Corporation was a Bulgarian media company operating in the television sector. Its activities included the bTV channel and Fox International Channels services in Bulgaria, including Fox Life and Fox Crime. The company was formerly owned by News Corporation and served as a local corporate structure for television operations in the Bulgarian market. A major change occurred in April 2010, when bTV was acquired by Central European Media Enterprises (CME). At that time, CME already owned the Bulgarian channels PRO.BG and RING.BG, and the transaction placed bTV within a broader Bulgarian television portfolio under CME ownership. The later bTV Media Group structure brought together bTV, bTV Comedy, bTV Cinema, bTV Action, bTV Lady and RING.BG. bTV Action was the successor brand to PRO.BG, while bTV Lady was introduced in January 2012. The Fox-branded channels in Bulgaria continued to operate separately under the local designation FOX Intl. Channels BG and remained associated with News Corporation. This distinction means that the transfer of bTV to CME did not represent a transfer of every television service previously connected with Balkan News Corporation. Public reference material provides limited information about the company's incorporation, headquarters, leadership, financial performance or ultimate legal status. Accordingly, Balkan News Corporation is best documented as a former or historical Bulgarian television-media company and brand structure rather than as a currently verified independent broadcaster.

Balkan News Corporation was a Bulgarian media company connected with television operations in Bulgaria. The company operated bTV and Fox International Channels services in the country and was formerly owned by News Corporation. Available reference material does not establish a founding date, original founders, corporate headquarters or a complete chronology of its legal development. The company's Bulgarian television portfolio included the bTV channel as well as Fox-branded services such as Fox Life and Fox Crime. Its role appears to have combined local television operations with the presence of international entertainment channels in the Bulgarian market. The Fox services continued to air under the local operating designation FOX Intl. Channels BG after the change in ownership of bTV. In April 2010, Central European Media Enterprises acquired bTV. CME also owned PRO.BG and RING.BG in Bulgaria, giving it a local portfolio that could be expanded around the bTV brand. After the transaction, bTV became part of CME's Bulgarian television activities rather than remaining within the earlier Balkan News Corporation and News Corporation arrangement. From 2011, bTV operated under the bTV Media Group brand. The group included bTV, bTV Comedy, bTV Cinema, bTV Action and RING.BG. bTV Action was the renamed or successor identity of PRO.BG. In January 2012, bTV Lady was added to the portfolio. These developments show the consolidation of several Bulgarian television channels under the bTV Media Group identity. The available material distinguishes the bTV assets from the Fox channels. Although both had been associated with the Balkan News Corporation context, the Fox channels in Bulgaria continued under the FOX Intl. Channels BG designation and remained associated with News Corporation. The sources supplied do not confirm whether Balkan News Corporation continued as an independent legal entity, was renamed, or was otherwise dissolved after the asset changes. Its present status is therefore recorded as unknown.

• 2012

  bTV Lady added to the channel portfolio

  [1]Balkan News Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  bTV Lady joined the bTV Media Group lineup in January 2012.

• 2011

  bTV Media Group structure introduced

  [1]Balkan News Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  bTV began operating under the bTV Media Group brand, alongside bTV Comedy, bTV Cinema, bTV Action and RING.BG.

• 2010

  bTV acquired by Central European Media Enterprises

  [1]Balkan News Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  In April 2010, Central European Media Enterprises bought bTV. CME also owned PRO.BG and RING.BG in Bulgaria.

A Bulgarian television-media operating company associated with the local distribution and operation of bTV and Fox-branded international channels.

• Television channel

  bTV

  bTV was the principal Bulgarian television channel associated with Balkan News Corporation. In April 2010, Central European Media Enterprises acquired the channel, and it subsequently became the core brand of the bTV Media Group.

• Entertainment television channel

  Fox Life Bulgaria

  Fox Life was one of the Fox International Channels services operated or distributed in Bulgaria through the local FOX Intl. Channels BG structure. The available reference identifies it as continuing after the bTV transaction under the News Corporation-associated Fox channels operation.

• Entertainment television channel

  Fox Crime Bulgaria

  Fox Crime was a Fox-branded Bulgarian television service associated with the company's local channel operations. It remained part of the Fox channels presence in Bulgaria after bTV moved to CME ownership.

• 2011

  Creation of the bTV Media Group channel portfolioStrategy

  Background

  Following the bTV ownership change, CME had several Bulgarian television channels under its control.

  Action taken

  The channels were organized under the bTV Media Group brand, including bTV, bTV Comedy, bTV Cinema, bTV Action and RING.BG.

  Aftermath

  The structure consolidated CME's Bulgarian television presence around the bTV brand.

  Source

• 2010

  Transfer of bTV to Central European Media EnterprisesM&A

  Background

  bTV was part of the Bulgarian television operations associated with Balkan News Corporation, while CME already owned PRO.BG and RING.BG in the market.

  Action taken

  Central European Media Enterprises acquired bTV in April 2010.

  Aftermath

  bTV became part of CME's later bTV Media Group portfolio. The Fox channels in Bulgaria continued separately under the FOX Intl. Channels BG designation.

  Source

1. 1Balkan News Corporationen.wikipedia.org