CNN inks deal with News7

CNN has inked a deal with soon-to-launch news channel News7.

Nikolai Barekov & Gerhard Zeiler

The Bulgarian free-to-air channel will take breaking news coverage and other content from CNN International. It’s the first affiliate deal of its kind for the Turner-owned channel in Eastern Europe.

News7 will roll out in the first half of next year using the terrestrial and DTH frequency currently occupied by the BBT channel.

The deal was announced by Gerhard Zeiler, who was installed as TBS International president earlier this year and is currently conducting a review of the company’s operations.

He said: “This agreement signals not only our ongoing commitment to developing the CNN affiliate business, but also our interest in supporting local news operations with consultancy and training to help them deliver a quality product for their audiences. While the channel will have entire editorial responsibility for its output, operationally we welcome the opportunity to work with this exciting new entrant into the Bulgarian news market.”

“Working with Turner to access CNN expertise as well as content will help News7 realise its goal to develop Bulgaria’s first fully HD channel, with the ability to provide 24-hour news coverage, which will become the leader in providing exclusive first-class news content,” said BBT CEO Nikolai Barekov.