Pro TV strikes back, says it will retain key programs and people

Following news about the departure of several key figures as well as rumors about ensuing layoffs at Pro TV, the TV station published an official statement in which it reaffirms its commitment “to maintain as leader on the Romanian TV market.”

PRO TV has announced that successful programs such as Vocea Romaniei, Masterchef, Las Fierbinti will remain in its fall schedule. The station will continue to retain key figures such as Andreea Esca, Oana Cuzino, Andi Moisescu, Catalin Maruta, Andra, Cabral and others, according to Aleksandras Cesnavicius, general manager of Pro TV.

“Blockbuster programs that will continue to attract millions of Romanians, together with the numerous stars of the station and the commitment for innovation and creative ideas will consolidate in the future the well-known market position of Pro TV,” he said in the press release.

Cesnavicius joined the PRO TV team as general manager five months ago. “PRO TV is in a unique situation, being the only TV station that is member of international organization CME, a media and entertainment company with operations in six countries in Central and Eastern Europe, and a total population of 50 million inhabitants,” he said.

A wave of massive layoffs is rumored to be starting at Pro TV, according to Click tabloid, which quotes inside sources that say that approximately 200 employees across all departments, representing nearly half of the number of employees, will be made redundant.

The move was not confirmed by Pro TV officials.

“The changes implemented recently will consolidate our organization and will ensure a higher capacity to adapt and evolve. We are going through a normal process of internal reorganization, ” said Cesnavicius.

According to Broadbandtvnews.com, Central Media Enterprises, the mother company of Pro TV, may be taken over by several Czech business people. The publication writes that Czech entrepreneurs Petr Kellner and Pavel Tykac are interested in purchasing the major share package of CME, which is currently owned by Time Warner. According to the same publication, there already have been a meeting in London to discuss a potential transaction but no decision has been made so far.

In the region, CME has stations in Bulgaria (bTV, bTV Cinema, bTV Comedy, bTV Action, bTV Lady, bTV Lady+1, Ring.bg and Ring.bg+1), Croatia (Nova TV, Doma, Nova World and Mini TV), the Czech Republicv TV Nova, Nova Cinema, Nova Sport, Fanda, Smichov and Telka), Romania (PRO TV, PRO TV International, Acasa, Acasa Gold, PRO Cinema, Sport.ro, MTV Romania, PRO TV Chisinau and Acasa in Moldova), Slovakia (TV Markíza, Doma and Dajto), and Slovenia (POP TV, Kanal A, Brio, Oto and Kino).