U.S. Firm Signs Cable TV Pact With Poland
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WASHINGTON — The Polish government and Chase Enterprises of Hartford, Conn., announced plans today for a $900-million joint venture to bring cable television to Poland.
The 20-year venture is designed to provide cable service to Poland’s 8 million homes. More than 90% of Poland’s homes have television sets.
The first phase of construction will begin within months in Warsaw and Krakow.
Chase enterprises said initial investment will be $270 million.
David Chase, a Polish Jew who escaped from a Nazi concentration camp at age 14, heads the U.S. company that holds 70% of the venture, Polska Telewizja Kablowa.
The remainder is held by Poltelkab SA, a partnership of entities of the Polish government.
Polish Ambassador Jan Kinast said the venture is “proof that Poland . . . is fully open to cooperation abroad.”
The 18-channel, 450-megahertz system is expected to carry such satellite delivered services as CNN, ESPN and MTV as well as Polish programming of movies, drama and sports.
The new system will represent a huge increase over Poland’s two national television stations, each of which now broadcasts only a portion of the day.
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