In recent years, the number of Czech viewers watching their TV via one of the PAY-TV operators has somewhat increased – although it still doesn’t reach the level of other European countries, including neighbouring Slovakia. It has been proven by the atmedia index survey results for the second half of 2022, carried out by Atmedia – media representative of thematic TV channels.[1]
While the Czech Republic indicates 57% of viewers aged 15–69 subscribing to PAY-TV in the second half of last year, Slovakia points out to 95%. “A considerable part of Czech viewers do not pay for TV viewing whilst they only watch the free-to-air TV channels accessible through digital terrestrial broadcasting. There are multiple of these channels in the Czech Republic and what’s more, their number is growing due to the transition to DVB-T2. The latest example is the Spektrum Home channel, which started broadcasting in one of the digital multiplexes at the beginning of March this year,” explains Pavel Müller, Head of Research & Marketing at Atmedia.
IPTV at the PAY-TV Forefront
The most widespread PAY-TV platform in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia is IPTV and cable TV. “It is indeed IPTV that’s been recently experiencing a big boom. Viewers have become accustomed to new ways of watching TV, such as TV shows’ re-runs,” adds Pavel Müller. More specifically, 62% of Czech PAY-TV viewers use IPTV or cable, with the remaining 38% opting for satellite TV. In Slovakia, the ratio is 53% for IPTV or cable, and 40% for satellite. The remaining 7% is accounted for the paid digital terrestrial broadcasting. This broadcasting method is extended to Slovak viewers by Plustelka as being a part of an encrypted digital multiplex. In the Czech Republic, we’ve seen the Skylink operator trying out this PAY-TV model with their Anténa+ service, but it was terminated in 2022.
Czechs Do Pay Approximately 50,- CZK Less for Watching TV Than Slovaks
Atmedia index research survey also revealed the Slovak viewers paying monthly by almost 50,- CZK more for one of the PAY-TV operators’ services than the Czech viewers. To put it into perspective, in the second half of last year, they paid a monthly average of 18,- €, which is equivalent to 437,- CZK. [2] In the same period, Czech viewers paid an average of 389,- CZK monthly fee.“
It is a quite similar amount as in the first half of last year – there was no major price increase. It will be interesting to see this year’s progression of the average monthly PAY-TV fees. Due to the high inflation rate, the question arises as to whether the PAY-TV operators will increase the price of their services and, if so – by how much will it actually be,” says Pavel Müller.
About the Survey Research
The survey research for Atmedia – sales house of thematic TV channels – was carried out by the ResSOLUTION research company / Nielsen using the CAWI method. 3,910 respondents (online TV population aged 15–69, familiar with their TV reception type) from the Czech National Panel and 2,941 respondents (online TV population aged 15–69, familiar with their TV reception type) from the Slovak National Panel, entered the questionnaire survey. The survey took place in two waves for the third and fourth quarters of 2022 (Czech Republic: 4th–16th October 2022, 2nd–15th January 2023, Slovakia: 14th–28th October 2022, 2nd–17th January 2023).
Atmedia introduced the atmedia index in mid-2021. It offers TV channels, media agencies and other interested parties a comprehensive data, information and insight into three researched areas: (1) TV channels’ quality evaluation through the eyes of their viewers, (2) use of PAY-TV and FREE TV, (3) use of paid video on demand (VOD).
[1] Atmedia, atmedia index, Czech Republic: 4th–16th October 2022, 2nd–15th January 2023, 3,910 Respondents (Online TV population Aged 15–69; Familiar With Their TV Reception Type), Czech National Panel; Slovakia: 14th–28th October 2022, 2nd–17th January 2023, 2,941 Respondents (Online TV Population Aged 15–69, Familiar With Their TV Reception Type), Slovak National Panel; Data Collection: ResSOLUTION / Nielsen, CAWI
[2] Conversion based on the average € exchange rate to CZK in 2H 2022: 24,48,- CZK.
