Paramount, under the wing of Skydance, has significantly reduced its broadcasts across Europe (and not only there) since January. Lukas Jaro, who has been focusing on these changes , confirmed this to MediaGuru.cz. The implemented steps were not only shutting down the mentioned programs in the Czech Republic. Paramount Network also lost its local versions in Romania or France. While MTV stations have left the British market, the German version has stopped playing music videos altogether (as well as the MTV Global mutation) and, in addition, broadcasts without commercials.
In Russia and Ukraine, Comedy Central ended and France lost its BET and Game One channels. This restructuring is aimed at cost savings and a focus on the digital platform of Paramount+ or SkyShowtime. Brazil was also hit by a massive wave of station closures, with MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central all closing at once. Latin America had to say goodbye to the Teen Nick channels as well as the Paramount Network. Italy's MTV Music and Africa's MTV Base also went silent. Spring noted that he could not remember such a massive clampdown on brands in practice.
Children's channels in our country without advertising
Children's channels Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Nicktoons have undergone a major transformation of their feeds, i.e. the versions available on the market, thanks to distribution changes in the Czech Republic. Advertising blocks have completely disappeared from their broadcasts, replaced by neutral promo and other ways of filling in the "free windows". The Nick Jr. channel uses a new full logo, while Nicktoons has undergone a similar transformation. Thus, most children's stations in our country, except for the Disney Channel and Minimax, now operate completely ad-free.
All these programmes are still offered to viewers exclusively in standard SD resolution. This change reflects the global savings strategy that the owner is pursuing following the merger with Skydance. The end of local advertising within the broadcasts may indicate a retreat from the traditional sales model. At the same time, it is necessary to refute the misinformation that the music station Nick Music was broadcasting in our country. This channel was never officially available for the Czech market. Paramount is now focusing on the unification of content, without changing the picture quality.
Vodafone has three Deluxe stations instead of two
Vodafone TV service is expanding its offer with three music stations from the German Deluxe family. Alongside the main Deluxe Music channel, the network will also feature the Deluxe Dance station. The big (and pleasant) surprise is the inclusion of Deluxe Rap, which was not mentioned in earlier official reports. The original decade targeting is thus replaced by genre diversity. As can be assumed, the inclusion of these stations has enabled the close connection of the Czech branch with the parent network in Germany.
Viewers will experience a fundamental change, especially in the picture quality, which is moving to a higher level. While the outgoing channels were broadcast in SD, the new Deluxe stations run in full HD format. The 360 TuneBox then falls into the same category. The test broadcasts recorded by MediaGuru.cz confirmed that the operator emphasises modern digital transmission standards. It can be assumed that although the viewership of MTV music was low, the operator will now bring its customers an adequate compensation that will not impose unnecessary costs on it.
Magenta also has changes, Golf Channel has a new logo
The Magenta TV service is reporting another new addition to its programming line-up, in addition to the unbundling of MTV and Paramount Network. Viewers will now find the Babes TV station, which has replaced the existing Playboy TV Europe channel. The move marks a significant shift in content, as light eroticism is replaced by explicit scenes. The new channel broadcasts without censorship and targets an audience looking for more daring themed entertainment. It is available in high definition video.
Another new development in the pay-TV market, although it may at first sight be purely cosmetic, is the return of the Golf Channel to its original logo, as well as the recent innovations of the CNBC news channel. Its iconic peacock symbol, previously a firm part of its identity, has disappeared from the screen. This is not just a visual makeover, but a definitive break from the American NBC Network. The change in graphics thus confirms the new era of the station after its independence from the parent group. The inclusion of Music Box music channels on a larger scale is not yet happening, so we will keep an eye on further developments.
Source: mediaguru.cz