Could a news TV channel survive in the Czech Republic?
After the successful launch of the first Czech parliamentary satellite TV channel last week, one has to wonder when the electronic media in this country will move on to the next step - a news channel. Is Czech society ready for such a move, and could an all-news television or radio station survive in this country?
Well, there have been some interesting developments. Slovakia and Poland have already established their own news channels, TA 3 and TVN. But in the Czech Republic, there is no news television or radio channel yet.
Radko Kubicko from the Czech Radio's Channel 6 explains the basic problem behind this venture:
"It is very difficult and complicated to create a news TV channel. The demand is low, and the costs are very high. Despite that, I think that every country needs and deserves such an electronic news medium, if nothing else then because of the people who want that information."
Mr. Kubicko certainly seems to be right about the low demand. According to Milan Kruml, a local media analyst, only some 1%-3% of the total Czech audience is interested in news. And that is not the only problem:
"News is the most expensive part of television production, and it is costly primarily because of people. Capable journalists and editors cost a lot of money, especially in such a small country with a relatively small human resources market. That is why I'm afraid that this type of a news channel will face great difficulties in the Czech Republic."
But Mr. Kruml still agrees that there is a need for high quality and regular news bulletins, and suggests possible solutions tailored for the local market:
"I think that the best solution for this country would be to try to do a Czech version of EuroNews, adding domestic news to the regular program. We could also do a combination channel where we would supplement regular, hourly news blocks with talk shows, economic reports, sports magazines, and such. Otherwise I think it would be an experiment that does not appeal to a sufficient number of viewers."
But a news channel is not necessarily limited only to television. Michal Prokop from the supervisory board of Czech Radio welcomes the option of a news radio channel:
"Every prestigious media station of the future will have its news channel, and I would consider it desirable for Czech Radio as well. Even though there is only a very small number of potential listeners, I strongly believe that such a news channel must exist, and that it is important for the Czech Radio to have it. The only question is whether it would consist of news 24 hours a day, or whether it would be a mix of news and related reports from other fields."
So, in the Czech Republic, there is interest, but news TV and radio is still in its infancy.
