Television in Poland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Television in Poland was introduced on an experimental basis in 1937. It was state owned, and was interrupted by the Second World War in 1939. Television returned to Poland in 1952 and for several decades was controlled by the communist government. Colour television was introduced in Poland in 1971. Private television stations in Poland appeared around the time of the fall of communism, with PTV Echo (once a member of the local channels of Polonia 1) becoming the first private station in Poland (and in the former Eastern Bloc).

History

During the Communist era, Polish state television aired many programs from both the West and the rest of the Eastern Bloc. Poles requested more photos of the Bonanza cast than even Americans, and The Forsyte Saga was very popular. The most popular domestic dramas often depicted Poland in World War II. From 1971 Citizen's Forum, a call-in show, subjected government ministers to public questions.[1]

Terrestrial

Terrestrial television in Poland broadcasts using a digital DVB-T system. First test DVB-T emission was carried out in Warsaw on 9 November 2001. In April 2004, first DVB-T transmitter near Rzeszów started operation and local TVP division started to market set-top boxes allowing to receive it. As of July 2016, there are about 250 DVB-T transmitters operating in Poland, broadcasting up to three multiplexes (except local stations),[2] all using MPEG-4 AVC compression. Majority of channels are available in HD across all the Poland after DVB-T2/HEVC switchover has finished in June 2022, while channels from MUX8 (Metro, Zoom TV, Nowa TV, WP, ViDoc TV, Republika and wPolsce24) are available only in SD, although Nowa TV and Republika broadcast in HD in some local multiplexes. Analog terrestrial transmissions were terminated in 2013. First efforts to introduce DVB-T in Poland was made in 1997 in Gdańsk on initiative of TVP (Polish public television broadcaster). In the spring of 2022, the terrestrial TV broadcasting standard was changed across the country to the newer and more effective DVB-T2/HEVC standard, where HEVC (or H.265) is a new standard for TV signal compression. Switching to the new DVB-T2/HEVC terrestrial TV broadcasting standard was carried out in the period from March to June 2022. However, the changes did not cover MUX3, which belongs as a whole to TVP. Decision by Urząd Komunikacji Elektronicznej [pl] requested by the Minister of Interior Affairs and Administration, argumented by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, allowed to delay the switch until the end of 2023.[3]

Allocation

At 2006 conference in Geneva known as GE06 Poland received eight DVB-T multiplexes—seven at UHF frequencies 470–862 MHz (channels 21–69) and one at VHF frequency 174–230 MHz (channels 6–12). Since some of these frequencies are currently used for analog PAL terrestrial television broadcasting, it is possible to run only two nationwide multiplexes (MUX1, MUX2) and one (MUX3) which covers part of country (58% of population). Introduction of all multiplexes will be possible after switching off analog broadcasting.

A government document entitled "Country digitalization schedule", dated January 2009, set out plan for the digital broadcast switch-on to be made in three steps and analog broadcast switch-off in six steps.

First regular digital broadcast started on 30 September 2010. Analog broadcast switch-off started on 7 November 2012 and the transition to digital broadcasting finished on 23 July 2013.

The period of time between digital broadcast switch-on and analog broadcast switch-off will allow people time to buy new integrated Digital TVs or set-top boxes.

Current status

  • MUX1 covers 98.8% of population;
  • MUX2 covers more than 98.8% of population;
  • MUX3 covers 99.5% of population;
  • MUX6 covers more than 90% of population;
  • MUX8 covers 97.4% of population.

Analog shutdown

The shutdown of analog broadcast took place in 7 steps between 7 November 2012 and 23 July 2013.

Operators of cable TV don't provide analog service in their networks any more, Vectra and Toya stopped in 2022, UPC stopped in 2023 in most cities of Poland and in January 2024 in Warsaw and Inea stopped in March 2024.[4][5]

Additional government actions

The Polish government created Informative campaigns regarding analog broadcast switch-off in mass media. The government also requires electronic equipment sellers to inform buyers that MPEG-2 TVs and STBs are not compatible with the national standard which is currently DVB-T2 HEVC QAM256 .

The Polish government provides financial help for poor families and seniors to buy a TV - 250 PLN or STB – 100 PLN per household, totaling 475 million PLN.[6]

Technical information

Polish digital terrestrial television broadcast uses the basic parameters of a digital receiver defined in ETSI TS 101 154 for level 4.1 HDTV: 50 Hz HEVC HDTV 8-bit (resolutions 1920 x 1080 p50, 1280 x 720 p50) MPEG-2 Audio Layer 2 and E-AC -3 audios. In the case of a TV receiver capable of displaying UHD, the DVB-T2 receiver also supports the format specified in ETSI TS 101 154 in point 5.14 HEVC HDR UHDTV IRD using HLG10 and HEVC HDR UHDTV IRD using PQ10, Main 10 Profile, Main Tier for UHDTV with resolution 3840 x 2160 and AC-4 audio.

Assignment of channels in multiplexes

Plan from January 2009 included three nationwide multiplexes with seven SDTV channels in each:

  • MUX1 – Free-to-air commercial channels (Polsat, TVN, TV4, TV Puls); after analog broadcast switch-off MUX3 covered the entire country population and public channels moved to it; there was competition for three freed channels;
  • MUX2 – open competition
  • MUX3 – Public channels; after analog switch-off MUX3 will cover all country population and public channels will be moved to it from MUX1; there will be competition for three freed channels in MUX1.

In January 2010 new plan on introducing DVB-T was presented. Assignment of multiplexes was changed:

  • MUX1 – public broadcaster channels (including TVP1, TVP2 and TVP Info)
  • MUX2 – Commercial free-to-air channels (Polsat, TVN, TV4, TV Puls) plus one additional from each broadcaster.

In June 2010 the final decision on the allocation of multiplexes was made:

MUX1

More information MUX1, Channel ...
MUX1
ChannelOwnerTypePosition (LCN)
Eska TVPolsat Plus Group (earlier ZPR Media Group)Music/Entertainment12
TTVStavka (TVN Warner Bros. Discovery)General/Social-intervention13
Polo TVPolsat Plus Group (earlier ZPR Media Group)Music/Entertainment14
Antena HDMWE NetworksGeneral15
TV TrwamLux Veritatis FoundationReligious16
Stopklatka TVCanal+ PolskaMovies17
Fokus TVPolsat Plus Group (earlier ZPR Media Group)General/Documentaries18
Wydarzenia 24Polsat Plus GroupNews49
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MUX2

More information MUX2, Channel ...
MUX2
ChannelOwnerTypePosition (LCN)
PolsatPolsat Plus GroupGeneral4
TVNTVN Warner Bros. DiscoveryGeneral5
TV4Polsat Plus Group (earlier Polskie Media)General6
TV PulsTelewizja PulsGeneral7
TVN7TVN Warner Bros. DiscoveryGeneral/Entertainment8
Puls 2Telewizja PulsGeneral/Entertainment9
TV6Polsat Plus Group (earlier Polskie Media)General/Entertainment10
Super PolsatPolsat Plus GroupGeneral/Entertainment11
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MUX3

More information MUX3, Channel ...
MUX3
ChannelOwnerTypePosition (LCN)
TVP1 Telewizja PolskaGeneral1
TVP2 General2
TVP3[7]Regional3
TVP ABC Children 29
TVP Kultura Culture 30
TVP HistoriaHistorical31
TVP Sport Sport32
TVP InfoNews34
TVP GO[8] Interactive (HbbTV) 88
TVP World[9] International (HbbTV) 91
TVP ABC 2[9] Children (HbbTV) 92
TVP Historia 2[9] Historical (HbbTV) 93
TVP Kultura 2[9] Cultural (HbbTV) 94
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MUX6

More information MUX6, Channel ...
MUX6
ChannelOwnerTypePosition (LCN)
TVP Polonia Telewizja Polska Worldwide 19
TVP Nauka Popular science 20
TVP DokumentDocumentaries24
TVP RozrywkaEntertainment27
Alfa TVP Children 28
TVP World International 33
TVP Kobieta Lifestyle 35
Belsat General 36
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MUX8 (DVB-T, MPEG-4)

More information MUX8, Channel ...
MUX8
ChannelOwnerTypePosition (LCN)
Nowa TVPolsat Plus Group (earlier ZPR Media Group)General40
WPWirtualna Polska HoldingGeneral/Interactive41
Republika Telewizja Republika News 51
wPolsce24 Fratria News 52
CDA Premium CDA SA Interactive (HbbTV) 86
Sklep Kapitan.pl Online shop (HbbTV) 87
test 95 Emitel N/A (black screen) (HbbTV) 95
test 96 N/A (black screen) (HbbTV) 96
test 97 N/A (black screen) (HbbTV) 97
EmiRadio Interactive (HbbTV) 98
EmiTV Interactive (HbbTV) 99
test 211 N/A (black screen) (HbbTV) 211
test 212 N/A (black screen) (HbbTV) 212
test 213 N/A (black screen) (HbbTV) 213
test 214 N/A (black screen) (HbbTV) 214
test 215 N/A (black screen) (HbbTV) 215
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MUX4 Polsat Box "Sport i informacje" ("Sports & information" Pay TV package)

MUX-L1 (Lubań/Jelenia Góra/Bolesławiec/Chojnów)

More information MUX-L1, Channel ...
MUX-L1
ChannelOwnerType
Junior Channel MWE Networks Children
Home TV MWE Networks Lifestyle
TVC SuperMWE NetworksGeneral
Filmax HD MWE Networks Movies
Pogoda24.TV MWE Networks News
TV Okazje TVO (Polsat Plus Group) Teleshopping
TVC MWE Networks General
Echo24 HDMWE NetworksRegional
Stars.TVJBD S.A.Music
TV Dami / TV Bolesławiec N/A Regional
TVT ZgorzelecTelewizja Regionalna TVTRegional
Power TV MWE Networks Music
TVS TVS Sp. z.o.o. Regional
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MUX-L2 (Ornontowice/Rybnik)

More information MUX-L2, Channel ...
MUX-L2
ChannelOwnerType
TVT Telewizja TVT Sp. z o.o. Regional
RepublikaTelewizja RepublikaNews
Stars.TVJBD S.A.Music
Nowa TVPolsat GroupGeneral
Dolce Vita TV Dolce Vita TV Sp. z o. o. Lifestyle
TV Okazje SD TVO (Polsat Plus Group) Teleshopping
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MUX-L3 (Częstochowa/Kamieńsk/Tomaszów Mazowiecki)

More information MUX-L3, Channel ...
MUX-L3
ChannelOwnerType
Junior Channel MWE Networks Children
Home TV MWE Networks Lifestyle
TVCMWE NetworksGeneral
TVC SuperMWE NetworksGeneral
Pogoda24.TV MWE Networks News
TV Okazje TVO (Polsat Plus Group) Teleshopping
Filmax MWE Networks Movies
Stars.TVJBD S.A.Music
Power TV MWE Networks Music
TVS TVS Sp. z.o.o. Regional
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MUX-L4 (Świdnica/Wrocław) (DVB-T, MPEG-4)

More information MUX-L4, Channel ...
MUX-L4
ChannelOwnerType
Junior Channel MWE Networks Children
Home TV MWE Networks Lifestyle
TVC Super MWE Networks General
Filmax MWE Networks Movies
Pogoda24.TV MWE Networks News
Polsat HDPolsat Plus GroupGeneral
TV Okazje TVO (Polsat Plus Group) Teleshopping
Stars.TVJBD S.A.Music
Echo24 HDMWE NetworksRegional
Power TV MWE Networks Music
TVS TVS Sp. z.o.o. Regional
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MUX-L7 (Lubin/Głogów) (DVB-T, MPEG-4)

More information MUX-L7, Channel ...
MUX-L7
ChannelOwnerType
TV Regionalna SDTVL Sp. z o.o. (programme producer)
GIA DINH Foundation (concessionaire)
Regional
Nowa TV Polsat Plus Group General
Republika Telewizja Republika General
EWTN Eternal World Television Network Inc. Religious
TV OkazjeTVO (Polsat Plus Group)Teleshopping
Polsat Polsat Plus Group General
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LRT local multiplex (Suwałki) (DVB-T, MPEG-4)

More information LRT local MUX, Channel ...
LRT local MUX
ChannelOwnerType
LRT Lituanica SDLRTGeneral
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Satellite

On December 1992, first Analog providers, Polsat started operation. In 1993, Polska Telewizja Satelitarna "Polsat" was closed no logos.

On 2 December 1994, Canal+ launched the Canal+ Analogowy platform with a few VHS channels available.

On 3 October 1997, ITI launched the TVN and yesterday, there are no Polish channels available on analogue satellite (the last one, Polsat and Canal+, was switched off in 1998/1999).

In 1998, two DVB-S providers, Cyfra+ and Wizja TV started operation. In 2001, Wizja TV was merged into Cyfra+.

1999 saw the introduction of another platform, Polsat 2 Cyfrowy (later renamed to Polsat Cyfrowy, Cyfrowy Polsat and finally Polsat Box), owned by Polsat, a major Polish commercial TV network[citation needed]. These platforms become very popular, and today, there are no Polish channels available on analogue satellite (the last one, TVN, was switched off in 2008). However, most of the satellite broadcasts in Poland are in SDTV resolution.

On 12 October 2006, ITI launched the n platform with a few HD channels available, as well as—also new to Poland—video on demand functionality. Later, in December 2006, Cyfra+ also started HD broadcasts. Cyfrowy Polsat started HD broadcasts in second half of 2007.

On 3 October 2008, n pre-paid television channels to you and Dom ITI, to new Telewizja na kartę.

On 27 October 2008, Telekomunikacja Polska launched the Orange platform with a few HD channels available.

On 16 May 2011, 3D glasses as satellite broadcasts in Cyfra+, n, Orange, Cyfrowy Polsat and Telewizja na kartę, platform with a few 3D channels available.

On 21 March 2013, as part of deeper cooperation between Canal+ Group and ITI, Cyfra+ and n were merged into nc+.

On 3 September 2019 nc+ has changed name to Platforma Canal+.

On 5 August 2024, 4K Ultra HD as satellite broadcasts in Canal+, Orange and Polsat Box, platform with a few 4K channels available.

Other technologies

Several TV channels, as well as video on demand, are available in Polish mobile telephony networks. There are no currently operating dedicated mobile TV transmitters.

There are also OTT TV service providers.

Digital platforms in Poland

More information Name, Type ...
Name Type Subscribers Number of channels HD channels 3D channel VOD
Polsat Box Digital platform 5,700,000[12] 0 0 0
  • Polsat Box Go
  • Max
  • PPV/VOD
  • Disney+
Canal+ Digital platform 2,119,000[13] 175 92 0
  • Canal+ Online
  • TVP Prapiemiery
  • Canal+ VOD
  • Seriale+
  • TVN Player
  • Baby TV OD
  • Poznaj nc+
  • Smaczki OD
  • Sport+
Orange TV Digital platform 875,000[14] 99 40 0
  • Seriale+
  • Wideo na życzenie
  • Prapremiery TVP
  • PictureBox
  • TV na życzenie
  • Telewizja Tu i Tam
UPC Polska Cable 1,434,600 201 50 0
  • Premiery
  • Hity
  • HD
  • TVP na żądanie
  • TVN na żądanie
  • Filmbox On Demand
  • Disney Channel na żądanie
  • Cartoon Network na żądanie
  • HBO OD
  • National Geographic na żądanie
  • Xotix
  • Discovery On Demand
  • Sundance na żądanie
  • Canal+ na żądanie
Vectra Cable 970,933[15] 204 52 0
  • BBC na żądanie
  • HBO On Demand
  • Discovery On Demand
  • Disney Channel na żądanie
  • HBO GO
  • GO ON
Multimedia Polska Cable 825,000 171 41 0
Inea Cable 182,000 190 52 0
  • Canal+ na życzenie
  • Ale Kino+ na życzenie
  • HBO On Demand
  • Planete+ na życzenie
  • TeleToon+ na życzenie
  • Duck TV na życzenie
  • Kuchnia+ na życzenie
  • Domo+ na życzenie
  • HBO GO
  • Karaoke TV
TOYA Cable 160,000 52 0
  • Przedpremiery TVP
  • Fyre TV
  • TVP na żądanie
  • Canal+ na życzenie
  • Ale Kino+ na życzenie
  • HBO On Demand
  • Sundance Channel na żądanie
  • Romance TV na życzenie
  • Planete+ na życzenie
  • Discovery On Demand
  • Animal Planet On Demand
  • History na życzenie
  • TV3 Polska
  • Polsat JimJam na życzenie
  • Duck TV na życzenie
  • Kuchnia+ na życzenie
  • Domo+ na życzenie
  • TLC On Demand
  • English Club TV On Demand
  • TV Toya na życzenie
  • Catch UP TVP
  • TV Toya Catch Up
  • Player
  • ipla
  • iplex
  • VOD TVP
  • TVP Parlament
  • HBO GO
  • NatGeo Play
  • Karaoke TV
  • GO ON
  • RMFon.pl
  • Eska GO
Petrus Cable 50,000 55 0 Red XN
Promax Cable 35,670 41 0
  • HBO GO
Sat Film Cable 25,000 41 0
  • HBO GO
Other Cable Cable more than 1,322,000
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Television rating system in Poland

More information No age restrictions, for minors above 7 years old ...
No age restrictions for minors above 7 years old for minors above 12 years old for minors above 16 years old only for viewers above 18 years old
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Viewing shares

Top 20 Polish TV channels by Nielsen Media Research (in gray channels, which were in a given year out of the Top 20):

More information Channels, Launched ...
Channels Launched 2023[16] 2022[17] 2021[18] 2020[19] 2019[20] 2018[21][22] 2017[23]
2016[24]
2015[25]
2014[26]
2013[27]
2012[28]
2011[29]
2010[30]
TVP1 01/1953 7.73 8.67 9.73 9.66 9.68 9.73 9.59 11.10 12.28 12.27 13.17 15.41 17.41 19.35
TVP2 10/1970 7.33 7.02 7.85 8.34 7.85 8.16 7.87 8.32 8.72 9.41 10.30 12.56 13.27 14.49
Polsat 12/1992 6.91 7.30 8.19 8.37 9.85 10.23 10.91 11.45 11.60 11.84 12.24 13.97 14.53
TVN 10/1997 6.85 6.90 7.49 8.45 7.37 9.38 9.87 10.37 10.65 11.68 12.54 13.93 14.95 15.21
TVN24 08/2001 5.72 5.63 4.94 5.36 4.47 4.14 4.27 3.81 3.22 2.99 3.12 3.06 3.14 3.45
TVP Info 10/2007 5.08 5.14 3.97 5.14 4.82 3.43 3.83 3.26 3.51 2.86 2.61 3.82 4.24 4.92
TV4 04/2000 2.98 2.89 3.23 3.64 3.72 4.16 4.08 3.36 3.27 2.68 2.97 2.49 2.39 2.14
TVN7 03/2002 3.16 3.07 3.60 3.45 3.21 3.24 3.29 3.30 3.53 3.54 2.53 1.79 1.63
TV Puls 03/2001 2.95 2.90 3.59 3.61 3.50 3.40 3.03 3.20 3.09 3.11 3.08 2.33 1.89 1.51
TTV 01/2012 1.73 1.76 2.07 1.16 2.24 2.14 1.78 1.60 1.45 1.30 1.02 0.31
Puls 2 07/2012 1.59 1.43 1.68 1.99 1.91 1.88 1.75 1.78 1.62 1.52 1.07 0.14
TVP Seriale 12/2010 1.56 1.58 1.47 1.47 1.41 1.41 1.49 1.48 1.40 1.44 1.14 0.64 0.34
Polsat 2 03/1997 1.34 1.35 1.45 1.47 1.54 1.52 1.47 1.52 1.45 1.68 1.79 1.37 1.32 0.88
TV6 05/2011 1.15 1.08 1.32 1.56 1.71 1.45 1.44 1.48 1.23 0.97 0.61 0.20 0.04
TVP ABC 02/2014 1.02 1.23 1.39 1.18 0.92 0.70 0.49
Polsat News 06/2008 1.76 1.97 1.76 2.03 1.13 1.12 1.14 1.11 1.08 1.08 1.04 0.90 0.81 0.62
TVP Rozrywka 04/2013 0.50 0.49 0.46 (August) 0.99 1.09 1.14 0.93 0.48
Stopklatka TV 03/2014 1.14 1.12 1.30 1.17 1.12 0.98 0.94 1.00 0.88 0.60
TVP3 09/2013 0.97 0.91 1.00 1.10 1.02 0.98 0.94 0.97 1.05 1.09 0.36
Fokus TV 04/2014 0.83 1.07 1.26 1.14 0.93 0.96 0.80 0.81 0.69 0.31
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TOP4 of Polish TV channels from 1997 by Nielsen Media Research
Audience ratings of TV channels above 2% in Poland since 1997 by Nielsen Media Research
(TVP Info in 1994-2007 as TVP3 Regionalna, TV4 in 1998-2000 as Nasza TV, TVN7 in 1996-2002 as RTL7)

Top 10 most watched TV broadcasts in Poland from 1998 according to Nielsen Media Research:[31][32][33][34][35][36][37]

More information Program, Date ...
Program Date Channel Number of viewers Share
1 Funeral of Pope John Paul II 8 April 2005 TVP1, TVP2, TVP3, Polsat, TVN, TVN24 and others Over 21,400,000 Almost 90%
2 UEFA Euro 2016: Poland vs Portugal (quarter-final) 30 June 2016 TVP1, Polsat, Polsat Sport 15,974,822 86.57%
3 UEFA Euro 2012: Poland vs Russia (group stage) 12 June 2012 TVP1, TVP Sport, TVP HD 14,683,216 81.51%
4 UEFA Euro 2016: Germany vs Poland (group stage) 16 June 2016 TVP1, Polsat, Polsat Sport 14,352,012 80.89%
5 UEFA Euro 2012: Czech Republic vs Poland (group stage) 16 June 2012 TVP1, TVP Sport, TVP HD 14,070,492 81.28%
6 FIFA World Cup 2018: Poland vs Colombia (group stage) 24 June 2018 TVP1, TVP Sport 13,631,335 75.45%
7 UEFA Euro 2012: Poland vs Greece (group stage) 8 June 2012 TVP1, TVP Sport, TVP HD 13,308,343 83.78%
8 2002 Winter Olympics: Ski Jumping Men's K120 Individual
(Adam Małysz won the silver medal)
13 February 2002 TVP1 13,259,612 75.15%
9 Funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria 18 April 2010 TVP1, TVP2, TVP Info, Polsat, Polsat News, TVN, TVN24 and others 13,033,967 86.68%
10 UEFA Euro 2016: Ukraine vs Poland (group stage) 21 June 2016 TVP1, Polsat, Polsat Sport 12,639,308 81.67%
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Shares in the television entertainemntet with a this television-polish in the world market in Poland of selected broadcasters groups in 2016 by Nielsen Media Research

Research and development

Advanced Digital Broadcast, with the R&D headquarters based in Zielona Góra, is a Polish company, which introduced many innovations and world's first solutions in the area of Digital TV. One of the co-founders was local professor Janusz C. Szajna.[38]

See also

References

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