View source for TVN (Polish TV channel)

{{short description|Polish commercial television network}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = TVN
| logo = [[File:TVN logo 2024.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_size = 150px
| country = [[Poland]]
| area = Nationwide
| headquarters = [[Media Business Centre (Warsaw)|Media Business Centre]]<br>[[Warsaw]], Poland
| founded = May 1995 (as TVN Sp. z o.o.)
| language = [[Polish language|Polish]]
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br>(downscaled to [[576i]] for the SD feed)
| owner = [[TVN Warner Bros. Discovery|Warner Bros. Discovery Poland]]
| parent = [[TVN Group]]
| sister_channels = {{Plainlist|
* [[TVN International]]
* [[TVN International Extra]]
* [[TVN24]] <!-- Possible rebrand to 'CNN Polska' --> 
* [[TVN24 BiS]] <!-- Possible rebrand to 'HLN Polska' --> 
* [[TVN Fabuła]]
* [[TVN Style]]
* [[TVN Turbo]]
* [[TVN 7]]
* [[TTV (Poland)|TTV]]
* [[Cartoon Network (Polish TV channel)|Cartoon Network]]
* [[Discovery Life (Polish TV channel)|Discovery Life]]
* [[Food Network]]
* [[HGTV#Poland|HGTV]]|
* [[Travel Channel International|Travel Channel]]
}}
| key_people = Katarzyna Kieli ([[CEO]])
| launch_date = {{start date|1997|10|3|df=y}} at 19:00
| dissolved = 
| former_names = TV7
| timeshift_service = TVN +1
| website = {{URL|https://tvn.pl/}}
| footnotes = 
| terr_serv_1 = [[Television in Poland#Terrestrial|Polish Digital]]
| terr_chan_1 = [[Multiplex (TV)|MUX]] 2 (SD) (Channel 5)
| online_serv_1 = Player.pl
| online_chan_1 = {{URL|https://player.pl}}
| replaced = Telewizja Wisła (1995–1997)
}}

'''TVN''' (stylised in all lowercase) is a Polish [[free-to-air]] television station, network and a media and entertainment group in Poland. It was co-founded by Polish businessmen Mariusz Walter, [[Jan Wejchert]] and Swiss entrepreneur Bruno Valsangiacomo.<ref name=wbj>{{Cite news|title=Jan Wejchert passes away aged 59|url=http://www.wbj.pl/article-47314-jan-wejchert-passes-away-aged-59.html?typ=ise|work=[[Warsaw Business Journal]]|date=2 November 2009|access-date=8 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120190210/http://www.wbj.pl/article-47314-jan-wejchert-passes-away-aged-59.html?typ=ise|archive-date=20 November 2010}}</ref> It is owned by [[TVN Group]], which as of April 2022, is a subsidiary of [[Warner Bros. Discovery]]. The current CEO is Katarzyna Kieli (who is also president and managing director of [[TVN Warner Bros. Discovery|Warner Bros. Discovery Poland]]).

TVN is available by [[satellite television|satellite]], cable television and [[digital terrestrial television]].

In 2004, with its debut on the [[Warsaw Stock Exchange]], the company became a public limited company. In March 2015, U.S. broadcaster [[Scripps Networks Interactive]] bought a 52.7% majority stake in TVN for €584&nbsp;million.<ref name="c21media-scrippstvn">{{cite news|title=Scripps buys majority stake in TVN|url=http://www.c21media.net/scripps-buys-majority-stake-in-tvn/|access-date=August 3, 2017|work=C21media|date=March 16, 2015|archive-date=4 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804113412/http://www.c21media.net/scripps-buys-majority-stake-in-tvn/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tvn24-scripps">{{Cite news|title = Scripps Networks Interactive sfinalizował przejęcie TVN|newspaper = Tvn24|url = http://www.tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-z-kraju,3/scripps-networks-interactive-sfinalizowal-przejecie-tvn,556529.html|access-date = 3 July 2015|archive-date = 4 July 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150704194221/http://www.tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-z-kraju,3/scripps-networks-interactive-sfinalizowal-przejecie-tvn,556529.html|url-status = live}}</ref> In July 2015, SNI bought out TVN's remaining owners, [[ITI Group]] and [[Canal+ Group]], for €584&nbsp;million, giving it full ownership.<ref name="c21media-scrippscompleted">{{cite news|last1=Dickens|first1=Andrew|title=Scripps completes TVN purchase|url=http://www.c21media.net/scripps-completes-tvn-purchase/|access-date=August 3, 2017|work=C21media|date=July 2, 2015|archive-date=12 June 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220612181334/https://www.c21media.net/news/scripps-completes-tvn-purchase/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 6, 2018, SNI was, in turn, acquired by [[Discovery, Inc.]] for US$14.6&nbsp;billion.<ref name="thr-snicompleted">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/discovery-closes-scripps-acquisition-creating-nonscripted-content-giant-1072832|title=Discovery Closes Scripps Acquisition, Creating Non-scripted Content Giant|last=Szalai|first=Georg|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 6, 2018|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=23 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423034734/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/discovery-closes-scripps-acquisition-creating-nonscripted-content-giant-1072832|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="thr-discoveryscripps">{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/discovery-acquire-scripps-networks-146-billion-1022433|title=Discovery to Acquire Scripps Networks for $14.6 Billion|last=Szalai|first=Georg|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 31, 2017|access-date=July 31, 2017|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423183804/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/discovery-acquire-scripps-networks-146-billion-1022433|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Liberty Global]], which operated pay television provider [[UPC Polska]], is a major shareholder in Discovery. The [[European Commission]] thus required TVN to ensure that [[TVN24]] and [[TVN24 BiS]] remain available to third-party television providers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m8665_760_3.pdf|title=Case M.8665 – Discovery / Scripps|publication-date=February 6, 2018|publisher=European Commission|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307214214/http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m8665_760_3.pdf|archive-date=March 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/european-commission-clears-discovery-deal-buy-scripps-1082184|title=European Commission Clears Discovery Deal to Buy Scripps|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=7 March 2018|archive-date=7 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007223415/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/european-commission-clears-discovery-deal-buy-scripps-1082184|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Media Business Centre w Warszawie 2017.jpg|thumb|TVN HQ in [[Warsaw]], Poland]]
[[File:SP-TVN helicopter, Gdynia, 20090705.jpg|thumb|TVN's helicopter registered as SP-TVN]]

In March 1997, Grupa TVN obtained permission from [[National Broadcasting Council|The National Council of Radio Broadcasting and Television]] to broadcast in central and northern parts of Poland. A few months later Grupa TVN acquired Telewizja Wisła, which had a license to broadcast in southern Poland.

The channel was launched nationwide as TVN on 3 October 1997.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Angelika W. Wyka|title=Media Privatization and the Spread of Foreign Ownership in East Central Europe|journal=NOVA|date=2010|url=http://pl.ejo.ch/wp-content/uploads/Media%20Privatization%20and%20the%20Spread%20of%20Foreign%20Ownership.pdf|access-date=28 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110161857/http://pl.ejo.ch/wp-content/uploads/Media%20Privatization%20and%20the%20Spread%20of%20Foreign%20Ownership.pdf|archive-date=10 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=September 2017}} In its early months, the high costs of buying foreign content led to TVN trying to find a uniquely Polish strategy for its programming, as both TVP and Polsat had occupied a significant part of the import revenue.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Rick |title=Polish net casts local line |url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/polish-net-casts-local-line-1117468710/ |work=Variety |date=12 May 1998}}</ref> One year after its launch, the channel was plagued by low ratings, management issues and regulatory problems, such as the conflicts between ITI and CME and the rescission of its broadcasting license in northern Poland.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Rick |title=Troubles at Poland's TVN |url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/troubles-at-poland-s-tvn-1117481684/ |work=Variety |date=22 October 1998}}</ref> During the first four years the network was run by its founder Mariusz Walter. In 2001 Piotr Walter became chief executive officer, replacing his father.

In 2004 TVN was available in 86% of Polish households. Since 2004 TVN has been listed on the [[Warsaw Stock Exchange]]. On 29 April 2004 TVN launched [[TVN International]], an entertainment and news channel for Polish viewers living abroad. In 2005 TVN acquired rights to organise and broadcast [[Sopot International Song Festival]] until 2010, and has acquired said rights again from 2017. In 2006 TVN launched its [[high-definition television|high definition]] version, [[TVN HD]], which was the first HD television channel in Poland.

TVN is a supporter of the [[Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV]] (HbbTV) initiative that is promoting and establishing an open European standard for hybrid set-top boxes for the reception of broadcast TV and broadband multimedia applications with a single user interface, and conducted the first tests of HbbTV services in Poland in March 2012.<ref>Chris Dziadul. [http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2012/03/13/hbbtv-starts-in-poland/''HbbTV starts in Poland''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406042319/http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2012/03/13/hbbtv-starts-in-poland/ |date=6 April 2012 }}. ''Broadband TV News'' 13 March 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012</ref>

On 16 March 2015, TVN announced a sale of a 52.7% controlling stake to the U.S. broadcaster [[Scripps Networks Interactive]] (SNI) for €584&nbsp;million, subject to regulatory approval.<ref name=variety-scrippstvn>{{cite web |title=Scripps Buys Controlling Stake in Poland's TVN for $615 Million |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/scripps-buys-controlling-stake-in-polands-tvn-for-615-million-1201453407/ |website=Variety |date=16 March 2015 |access-date=16 March 2015 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316232617/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/scripps-buys-controlling-stake-in-polands-tvn-for-615-million-1201453407/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="c21media-scrippstvn"/><ref name="tvn24-scripps"/> In July 2015, SNI bought out the remaining owners for €584&nbsp;million.<ref name="c21media-scrippscompleted"/> SNI was, in turn, acquired by [[Discovery Communications]] (now Discovery Inc.) for US$14.6&nbsp;billion, in a sale completed 6 March 2018.<ref name="thr-snicompleted"/><ref name="thr-discoveryscripps"/>

===Conflict with Law and Justice government (2021)===
{{main|Lex TVN}}
[[File:Wolne media TVN.jpg|thumb|A banner with the words ''„Wolne Media”'' ("Free Media") and the TVN logo modified with the [[V sign]] during a protest against ''Lex TVN'' in August 2021.]]
TVN tends to be strongly critical of the [[Law and Justice]] (PiS) party, since it was sworn to power in 2015. Historian and columnist [[Timothy Garton Ash]], writing for [[The Guardian]], praised ''[[Fakty TVN]]''<nowiki/>'s critical coverage of government issues when harshly criticising [[Telewizja Polska]]'s ''[[Wiadomości]]'' (''News'').<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Garton Ash|first=Timothy|date=2020-06-25|title=For a bitter taste of Polish populism, just watch the evening news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/25/polish-populism-evening-news-public-broadcaster-presidential-election|access-date=2021-09-03|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref><blockquote>The ''Facts'' is not [[BBC News|BBC]]-style impartial: it clearly favours a more liberal, pro-European Poland and is strongly anti-[[PiS]]. But unlike the so-called ''News'', it is still definitely professional, high quality, reality-based journalism.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Since 2020 the conflict between TVN and the PiS worsened, to a degree that, by July 2021, a group of PiS lawmakers, submitted to parliament a draft amendment that would prevent companies from outside the [[European Economic Area]] taking control of Polish radio and television stations. This would mean that Discovery, the owner of TVN, might be forced to divest its ownership.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polish-draft-law-threatens-us-owned-broadcaster-opposition-says-2021-07-08/|title=Polish draft law threatens U.S.-owned broadcaster, opposition says|date=8 July 2021|website=Reuters|access-date=11 August 2021|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811124831/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polish-draft-law-threatens-us-owned-broadcaster-opposition-says-2021-07-08/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/discovery-opposes-proposed-polish-media-rules-2021-07-12/|title=Discovery opposes proposed Polish media rules|date=12 July 2021|website=Reuters}}</ref> The [[Agreement (political party)|Agreement]], then PiS' coalition partner, was opposed to this, they instead proposed a change that would allow companies from countries in the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD) to own more than 49% of shares in Polish media companies, which would mean no change to the American ownership of the channel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/polish-media-law-faces-uncertain-110229442.html|title=Polish media law faces uncertain future amid coalition splits|website=finance.yahoo.com|access-date=11 August 2021|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811130138/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/polish-media-law-faces-uncertain-110229442.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/junior-coalition-leader-says-media-law-amendment-threatens-investment-23620|title=Junior coalition leader says media law amendment threatens investment|website=www.thefirstnews.com|access-date=11 August 2021|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811130140/https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/junior-coalition-leader-says-media-law-amendment-threatens-investment-23620|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, opposition, as well as representatives from [[European Union]] and the [[United States]] criticized the law, and international observers expressed fear that the law is threatening [[press freedom in Poland]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=The explainer: Lex TVN and Poland's parliamentary drama|url=https://emerging-europe.com/news/the-explainer-lex-tvn-and-polands-parliamentary-drama/|access-date=2021-09-03|website=Emerging Europe|language=en-US|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813112133/https://emerging-europe.com/news/the-explainer-lex-tvn-and-polands-parliamentary-drama/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Armstrong|first=Mark|date=2021-07-29|title=Poland: Media freedom fears as TVN24's licence extension is suspended|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/07/29/fears-for-independent-media-in-poland-as-tvn24-license-is-suspended|access-date=2021-09-03|website=euronews|language=en|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813044438/https://www.euronews.com/2021/07/29/fears-for-independent-media-in-poland-as-tvn24-license-is-suspended|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Protests Held Across Poland in Opposition to 'Lex TVN' Censorship Bill|url=https://news.yahoo.com/protests-held-across-poland-opposition-191500178.html|access-date=2021-09-03|website=news.yahoo.com|language=en-US|archive-date=18 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818040517/https://news.yahoo.com/protests-held-across-poland-opposition-191500178.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=EU slams newly passed law in Poland that could limit media freedom|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/08/12/poland-government-in-chaotic-parliamentary-tussle-over-disputed-media-ownership-bill|access-date=2021-09-03|website=euronews|language=en|archive-date=12 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912234241/https://www.euronews.com/2021/08/12/poland-government-in-chaotic-parliamentary-tussle-over-disputed-media-ownership-bill|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=Polish lower house passes media reform bill, which U.S. denounces|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polish-govt-counting-majority-media-reform-says-spokesman-2021-08-11/|access-date=2021-09-03|website=Reuters|language=en|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906030917/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polish-govt-counting-majority-media-reform-says-spokesman-2021-08-11/|url-status=live}}</ref> The law has been criticized for "threatening the largest ever US investment in Poland".<ref name=":1" /> This also led to protests within the country, with a number of demonstrations on 10 August.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-10|title="Free Media": Poles protest against changes to broadcasting law|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/free-media-poles-protest-against-changes-broadcasting-law-2021-08-10/|access-date=2021-09-03|website=Reuters|language=en|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813113651/https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/free-media-poles-protest-against-changes-broadcasting-law-2021-08-10/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 11 August 2021, the bill was passed via the [[Sejm]] on a vote of 228 to 216, with 10 abstentions, as a result, TVN's licence could expire on September 26.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/polands-pis-rams-through-media-law-despite-us-warnings/|title=Poland's ruling party rams through media law despite US warnings|date=11 August 2021|website=POLITICO|access-date=12 August 2021|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812034014/https://www.politico.eu/article/polands-pis-rams-through-media-law-despite-us-warnings/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/11/world/europe/polands-media-law-passes.html|title=Poland's Government Wins Vote on Media Bill, Despite Losing Majority|first1=Steven|last1=Erlanger|first2=Monika|last2=Pronczuk|work=The New York Times |date=11 August 2021|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/11/poland-coalition-under-threat-as-parliament-votes-on-controversial-media-bill|title=Polish parliament passes controversial new media ownership bill|date=11 August 2021|website=the Guardian}}</ref>

On 30 August 2021, the Chairman of the [[National Broadcasting Council|National Council of Radio Broadcasting and Television]] sent to the TV operators a decision to move the licence of sister channel [[TVN24]] into the [[Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA#Benelux|Discovery Communications Benelux B.V.]] license, based in the [[Netherlands]]. The decision ensures the continuity of broadcasting the TVN24 program after 26 September 2021, regardless of the results of the ongoing conflict with Law and Justice government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zgoda Przewodniczącego KRRiT na wpis do rejestru programu TVN24 - Krajowa Rada Radiofonii i Telewizji - Portal Gov.pl|url=https://www.gov.pl/web/krrit/zgoda-przewodniczacego-krrit-na-wpis-do-rejestru-programu-tvn24|access-date=2021-08-30|website=Krajowa Rada Radiofonii i Telewizji|language=pl-PL|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830155105/https://www.gov.pl/web/krrit/zgoda-przewodniczacego-krrit-na-wpis-do-rejestru-programu-tvn24|url-status=live}}</ref> On 24 September 2021 - two days before the expiration of the previous licence - TVN24 was granted a new Polish licence.<ref>{{Cite web|title=WYKAZ DECYZJI DLA 479/K/2021-T|url=http://archiwum.krrit.gov.pl/dla-nadawcow-i-operatorow/koncesje/wykaz-koncesji-i-decyzji/details,479--K--2021-T.html|access-date=2022-01-17|website=Krajowa Rada Radiofonii i Telewizji|language=pl-PL}}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

On 18 December 2021, the bill was passed via the Sejm. The Sejm voted in favor 229-212 with 11 abstentions to override the Senate's veto. Law and Justice (PiS) party and allied opposition group [[Kukiz'15]] voted for the bill, against was the remaining opposition with the exception of far-right [[Confederation Liberty and Independence|Confederation]], which abstained. The bill was vetoed by Polish President [[Andrzej Duda]] on 27 December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-27|title=Prezydent Andrzej Duda wetuje lex TVN|url=https://businessinsider.com.pl/gospodarka/prezydent-andrzej-duda-wetuje-lex-tvn/lrmwlr4|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Businessinsider|language=pl|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624130052/https://businessinsider.com.pl/gospodarka/prezydent-andrzej-duda-wetuje-lex-tvn/lrmwlr4|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Programming and schedule ==

=== Programming ===
{{See also|List of programmes broadcast by TVN}}

=== Schedule ===
{{See also|List of TVN primetime schedules}}

== Logo history ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|[[File:TVN logo.svg|100px]]
|[[File:TVN logo 1997-2024 brighter variant.png|100px]]
|[[File:TVN logo 2024.svg|100px]]
|-
|1997–2013
|2013–2024
|2024–present
|}

==See also==
*[[List of programmes broadcast by TVN]]
*[[Television in Poland]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|www.tvn.pl}} {{in lang|pl}}

{{Commons|TVN (Poland)}}

{{TVN Group}}
{{Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA & Poland}}
{{Television in Poland}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tvn (Polish Tv channel)}}
[[Category:1997 establishments in Poland]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange|TVN]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1997]]
[[Category:Television channels in Poland]]
[[Category:TVN (Polish TV channel)| ]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Discovery networks]]
[[Category:Polish news websites]]