TVP/Astra deal under spotlight

By Chris Dziadul
March 10, 2010 10.43 UK

Poland’s Public Procurement Office (UZP) is understood to be investigating whether the former TVP president Piotr Farfal acted within the law in extending an agreement with SES Astra until 2014.

Gazeta Prawna says that it has received information that UZP is looking into the agreement, signed in September 2009 just prior to the launch of the public broadcaster’s DTH platform and Farfal’s dismissal shortly afterwards.

It adds that even if the UZP concludes that the agreement was unlawful, it can only be annulled in a court of law. Should this happen, SES Astra could demand compensation of at least the value of the contract to 2014.

Contacted by Broadband TV News, SES Astra said “we have a valid agreement.”

TVP is already facing serious financial difficulties and reported to be considering the curtailment or even partial suspension of TVP HD and thematic channels TVP Historia and TVP Sport.