Payner
Payner is an independent Bulgarian record label and music-production company with a large artist roster, in-house production facilities, and a portfolio of music television channels.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Payner Ltd. is a Bulgarian independent record label and music-production company headquartered in Dimitrovgrad. Founded in 1990 by Bulgarian businessman Mitko Dimitrov, the company began by producing and distributing audio and videotapes for the Bulgarian market and for export. Its early activities placed it within the physical-media infrastructure of Bulgaria's post-socialist music industry, before the business expanded into artist management, recorded-music production, video production, broadcasting, and entertainment venues. A central part of Payner's development was the creation of its own recording studio in 1995. This gave the company greater control over recording and production and supported the development of a broad roster of Bulgarian performers. Payner is frequently described as one of the country's largest record companies by number of signed artists, with more than 100 artists associated with its roster according to reference material. The label has been particularly connected with Bulgarian popular and folk-oriented music, although the available reference material does not provide a complete genre breakdown of its catalogue. Payner also built a significant music-television operation. Planeta TV launched in 2001, followed by Planeta Folk in 2007 and Planeta HD in 2010. A Planeta 4K channel was added in 2020. These channels extend the company's role beyond conventional label operations by providing dedicated outlets for music videos, artist exposure, and promotion. The Planeta brand is therefore closely associated with Payner's media and artist ecosystem. The company's activities are supported by production facilities and offices in Dimitrovgrad, as well as entertainment complexes including Prikazkite in Harmanli and Planeta Payner in Dimitrovgrad. This combination of label, studio, television, and venue assets represents a vertically integrated model in which Payner can participate in several stages of the music business, from recording and visual production to broadcasting and live or hospitality-related entertainment. Reference material states that at the end of April 2026 Payner was acquired by Macedonian composer Jordančo Vasilkovski, known professionally as Ocko, the founder of Hit Mix Music and Hit Mix TV, in cooperation with Yellowcake Music Group. Because this transaction is dated in the future relative to some publication contexts and the supplied material does not provide independent transaction documentation, its completed status should be verified before being treated as definitive. No reliable information was provided on Payner's current legal ownership, financial performance, listing status, or executive management beyond its founder and the reported acquisition information.
History
Payner was established in 1990 in Bulgaria by Mitko Dimitrov. Its initial business focused on producing audio and videotapes for domestic consumers and for export markets. This starting point reflected the importance of physical recording media in the Bulgarian music sector at the beginning of the company's history. Rather than operating only as a conventional label, Payner developed production and distribution capabilities that allowed it to participate directly in the creation and circulation of recorded music. In 1995, the company founded its own recording studio. The studio strengthened Payner's internal production capacity and helped support a larger artist roster. Over time, the company became associated with a substantial group of Bulgarian performers and was described in reference material as one of the country's largest labels by roster size, with more than 100 artists signed or associated with the company. The available sources do not identify every artist or establish a complete breakdown of current and former signings. Payner subsequently broadened its business into television. Planeta TV began broadcasting in 2001, creating a dedicated channel connected to the label's music and promotional activities. Planeta Folk followed in 2007, while Planeta HD launched in 2010. The introduction of Planeta 4K in 2020 extended the television portfolio into a higher-resolution format. These channels gave Payner additional platforms for distributing music videos and presenting its artists, making the company more vertically integrated than a label focused only on recordings. The company also operates or has operated entertainment complexes, including Prikazkite in Harmanli and Planeta Payner in Dimitrovgrad. Its production facilities and head office are situated in Dimitrovgrad, linking the company's recording, administrative, and entertainment activities to the city. Through its label, studio, television channels, and venues, Payner has developed a broad music-business model spanning production, promotion, broadcasting, and entertainment. The supplied reference material reports a change in ownership at the end of April 2026. According to that account, Macedonian composer and media entrepreneur Jordančo Vasilkovski, known as Ocko and identified as the founder of Hit Mix Music and Hit Mix TV, acquired Payner in cooperation with Yellowcake Music Group. The reference does not provide transaction terms, an official corporate announcement, or enough information to determine the resulting management structure. Accordingly, the acquisition is recorded as reported rather than fully verified.
- 2026
Reported acquisition by Ocko and Yellowcake Music Group
[1]Reference material reports that Payner was acquired at the end of April 2026 by Jordančo Vasilkovski, known as Ocko, in cooperation with Yellowcake Music Group. The transaction requires independent verification.
- 2020
Planeta 4K launches
[1]The Planeta network added Planeta 4K.
- 2010
Planeta HD launches
[1]Payner expanded its Planeta television offering with the HD channel Planeta HD.
- 2007
Planeta Folk launches
[1]The company added Planeta Folk to its television portfolio.
- 2001
Planeta TV launches
[1]Payner expanded into music television with the launch of Planeta TV.
- 1995
In-house recording studio established
[1]Payner founded its own recording studio, increasing its internal capacity for music production.
- 1990
Payner is founded
[1]Mitko Dimitrov founded Payner in Bulgaria. The company initially produced and distributed audio and videotapes for domestic and export markets.
Products and positioning
A vertically integrated Bulgarian music company combining record-label operations, artist production, music-video creation, dedicated television channels, and entertainment venues.
Recorded music · 1990
Payner recorded-music catalogue
Payner produces and releases recorded music by artists associated with its Bulgarian roster. The company originated in physical audio and videotape production and later developed broader label and promotional capabilities. The available reference material does not provide a complete catalogue or genre-by-genre listing.
Music production · 1995
Payner recording studio
Established in 1995, Payner's in-house recording studio supports the company's artist and production activities. It forms part of the label's vertically integrated infrastructure, although detailed technical specifications and current operating arrangements are not provided.
Music television · 2001
Planeta TV
Planeta TV is Payner's principal music television channel, launched in 2001. It provides a broadcast platform for music videos and artists connected with the company's label and production activities.
Music television · 2007
Planeta Folk
Planeta Folk is a music television channel added to Payner's media portfolio in 2007. Its name indicates a folk-oriented editorial identity, but the supplied material does not specify its full programming scope.
Music television · 2010
Planeta HD
Planeta HD launched in 2010 as a high-definition extension of Payner's Planeta television operation, providing another outlet for the company's music-video and artist content.
Music television · 2020
Planeta 4K
Planeta 4K was added in 2020 and represents the ultra-high-definition tier of the Planeta channel family. Specific programming and distribution details are not provided in the available reference.
Entertainment complex
Prikazkite
Prikazkite is an entertainment complex associated with Payner in Harmanli, Bulgaria. Detailed facilities and operating status are not provided.
Entertainment complex
Planeta Payner
Planeta Payner is an entertainment complex associated with the company in Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria. The available reference material does not specify its facilities or current operating status.
Brand decisions
2026
Reported acquisition by Ocko and Yellowcake Music GroupM&ABackground
Reference material reports a change in Payner's ownership at the end of April 2026.
Action taken
Jordančo Vasilkovski, known as Ocko, reportedly acquired Payner in cooperation with Yellowcake Music Group.
Aftermath
The transaction's terms, legal completion, and effect on Payner's management and operations are not specified and require verification.
2020
Add Planeta 4KProduct launchBackground
Payner had already expanded its television presence through Planeta TV, Planeta Folk, and Planeta HD.
Action taken
The company added Planeta 4K to the Planeta channel portfolio.
Aftermath
The television portfolio gained an ultra-high-definition channel, although detailed audience and distribution outcomes are not provided.
2001
Enter music television with Planeta TVProduct launchBackground
Payner sought to extend its role beyond recorded-media production and provide a dedicated promotional outlet for music content.
Action taken
The company launched Planeta TV.
Aftermath
Payner developed a broader media platform around its label and artist roster.
1995
Build in-house recording capacityStrategyBackground
Payner began as a producer of audio and videotapes and later required greater control over music creation and production.
Action taken
The company established its own recording studio.
Aftermath
The studio became part of Payner's integrated label and artist-production infrastructure.
Recent events
- 2026
Payner reportedly acquired by Jordančo Vasilkovski and Yellowcake Music Group[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Reference material states that Payner was acquired at the end of April 2026 by Macedonian composer Jordančo Vasilkovski, known as Ocko, together with Yellowcake Music Group. The completion and terms of the reported transaction require verification.
- 2020
Payner expands its television portfolio with Planeta 4K[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Payner's Planeta television portfolio added Planeta 4K, following earlier launches of Planeta TV, Planeta Folk, and Planeta HD.
Sources3 sources
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