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Euro 50 > Leaders in broadband and pay-TV Digital TV Europe
November/December 2008
Bhavneet Singh Executive vice-president and managing director, MTV Networks International
Job description My role includes developing tional HD channel, MTVNHD. We also rolled
and establishing MTVNI’s portfolio of enter- out inaugural MTV operations in Hungary and
tainment brands which include MTV, Ukraine as well as two brand new broadband
Nickelodeon, Viva, Comedy Central and VH1 channels: MTV Israel, which launched without
across multiple media platforms including an existing TV platform and switch2one, an
broadband, mobile and online. MTVNI’s emerg- innovative, video-on-demand music and enter-
ing markets is an exciting region to be working tainment web portal in Poland. Up-coming
across now and is one of the fastest-growing projects I’m really excited about include the
regions in our company’s portfolio of multi- launch of MTV Czech, the first MTVNI service
platform businesses. We currently manage 27 available in the Czech Republic and the first
television channels, 25 websites, two broad- ever MTV Africa Music Awards, which will take
band channels and three mobile TV channels. place in Abuja, Nigeria.
Last year’s highlights In the 24 months Positive thoughts for 2009 We’re looking
since I first joined the group, we’ve grown from forward to some exciting times in 2009. As
being a business that operates 14 channels well as the MTV service in the Czech Republic,
across central and eastern Europe to running we’re planning to build further scale across the
27 channels spanning central and eastern emerging markets region with our
Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia, not Nickelodeon and Comedy Central brands, but
Led by Bhavneet Singh MTVNI launched a to mention our ever-growing portfolio of non- not just across linear TV platforms. We’re very
number of new channels this year. linear TV assets. Talking about highlights from much looking to transform our business to one
the last year, I’d say the rollout of localised that caters to ‘users’ and not just the passive
Age 35 (in December). Arabic language MTV and Nickelodeon chan- ‘viewer’. One of our key priorities is to really
nels in the Middle East, which launched to a create depth and breadth with our brands by
Education Manchester Business School, MBA potential audience of nearly 190 million peo- making them available across all relevant mul-
Programme, MBA, Director’s list, April 2004. ple, the launch of Nickelodeon services in timedia platforms. We want to ensure our con-
Poland and Africa and the launches of Comedy tent is accessible to users whenever and wher-
Years in industry 10 Central in Hungary and MTVNI’s first interna- ever they want.
Maciej Sojka CEO, ITI Neovision
When ITI Neovision entered Poland’s pay-TV Last year’s highlights For the industry the
market with the ‘n’ platform towards the end fact that HD-ready television sets have
of 2006, it became the country’s third DTH dropped in price to a level that makes it a
player. Despite the competitive market in product that is affordable for virtually anyone.
Poland, it has headed towards the 500,000 For me, my three-year old daughter’s first
subscriber mark under the leadership of drawing.
Maciej Sojka. The operator also has plans to
offer triple-play services soon. Reflections on the downturn
It will be a year of verification of the strategies
Age 38 taken by media companies. The good ones will
work in tough times.
Education MD Journalism, University of
Warsaw. Positive thoughts for 2009
This will be good year for pay-TV. Costs will
Years in industry 15 drop faster than revenue. Favourite TV show The West Wing – it has a
combination of entertainment and education
Job description I am a start-up manager. I Personal aims for the year ahead on a very difficult subject.
take new ideas and turn them into a profitable To make current projects profitable. I was wait-
business. ing for this moment for the last three years. Life outside work Sailing.
Visit us at www.digitaltveurope.net
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