What Česká Televize does

Česká televize (Czech Television) is the Czech Republic's statutory public service broadcaster, established in 1991 under Act No. 483/1991 Coll. and governed by the Rada ČT (Czech Television Council). It operates five linear television channels—ČT1 (general entertainment), ČT2 (documentary and educational), ČT24 (24-hour news), ČT Sport, and ČT :D (children's)—alongside the digital sub-brands ČT art and ČT edu, the iVysílání streaming platform accessible via web, iOS, Android, and Smart TV, plus the HbbTV "Red Button" interactive service. The broadcaster is headquartered in Prague (Na Hřebenech II, Praha 4 - Podolí), with regional production studios in Brno and Ostrava serving South Moravia and the Moravian-Silesian Region.

The technology stack spans DVB-T2 terrestrial, DVB-S2 satellite (delivered through a partnership with Canal+ Luxembourg's Skylink platform via the Karta ČT conversion programme), DVB-C cable carriage, and internet streaming. Production and distribution are supported by accessibility infrastructure including real-time AI-powered closed captioning on ČT24 (rolled out February 2026 across terrestrial, satellite, and internet), live subtitles in streaming (May 2025), and WCAG 2.1 AA-compliant video players (improved January 2026). Content capabilities extend to original Czech drama, documentaries, cultural programming, news, and premium sports rights including the Tour de France, with an in-house archive ("Zlatý fond" Golden Fund) supporting on-demand consumption.

The revenue model is anchored by a mandatory TV licence fee set under Act No. 348/2005 Coll., effective at 150 Kč per household per month since 1 May 2025, with the payer base structurally expanded to include smartphones, tablets, and computers. Business fees are scaled by full-time employee headcount, ranging from zero (fewer than 25 employees) to 100× the base rate for 500+ FTE companies. Customer reach is effectively universal across Czech households, supplemented by regulated advertising, RSS and podcast syndication, and ancillary income from the ČT E-shop (DVDs, publications, merchandise). This funding structure insulates editorial and programming decisions from political and commercial pressure and aligns the broadcaster's incentives with public service obligations rather than market-share competition.

Name

Česká Televize

Legal name

Česká televize

Website

https://ceskatelevize.cz

Company type

Public

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Česká televize is the Czech Republic's statutory public service broadcaster, operating five television channels, the iVysílání streaming platform, and digital services funded primarily by mandatory household and business TV licence fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Broadcasting

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

National General-Entertainment Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Media Digital Platforms & Streaming (Apps, On-demand, Podcasts) (MPABADAG), Live TV Streaming (vMVPD/IPTV OTT) (MPACAAAD), Satellite Video & Media Distribution (DTH, Contribution/Distribution, Occasional Use) (HDAIAJAG)

Keywords

• Public broadcasting services
• Television programming
• Digital video streaming
• News broadcasting
• Media content production

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. TV licence fee (households): Primary revenue stream. Mandatory monthly licence fee paid by all Czech households owning, holding, or using a television receiver (including smartphones, tablets, computers) for more than 30 days. Rate: 150 Kč/month per household, effective 1 May 2025. Revenue is governed by Act No. 348/2005 Coll. on Radio and Television Fees. The licence fee model is designed to ensure financial independence from the state budget.
2. TV licence fee (businesses): Businesses and legal entities pay TV fees scaled by full-time employee headcount (FTE). Thresholds: 0-24 employees = zero fee; 25-49 employees = 5x base rate; 50-99 = 10x; 100-199 = 20x; 200-249 = 30x; 250-499 = 70x; 500+ = 100x. Employers with fewer than 25 employees are exempt but must register.
3. Advertising revenue: ČT carries limited advertising. Commercial messaging is permitted within regulated limits as a supplementary revenue source. The broadcaster emphasises its public service mission with minimal advertising disruption to programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Česká televize operates as the Czech Republic's public service broadcaster, producing and distributing television content across five linear channels (ČT1, ČT2, ČT24, ČT Sport, ČT :D) plus digital thematic channels (ČT art, ČT edu). Its core offering is the iVysílání streaming platform, which provides on-demand and live access to all ČT content via web, mobile, and Smart TV. The broadcaster is funded primarily by mandatory TV licence fees governed by Act No. 348/2005 Coll.

Product overview

Česká Televize is a public service broadcaster offering a multi-channel television ecosystem with digital streaming services. The core product portfolio includes five linear TV channels (ČT1, ČT2, ČT24 news, ČT Sport, and ČT :D children's channel), each with associated digital offerings. The primary digital platform is iVysílání, a streaming service available via web, mobile apps, and Smart TV applications that provides live broadcasts and on-demand content. Additional offerings include HbbTV (Red Button) hybrid television service, ČT Edu educational platform, and ČT art cultural channel. The broadcaster also operates satellite access via Skylink partnership, provides Teletext services, and manages TV licensing and payment services through dedicated portals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iVysílání: Online streaming platform for watching Czech Television programs
• ČT24
• ČT Sport
• ČT Déčko
• ČT art
• ČT edu

Products and services

• iVysílání Multi-platform video streaming service providing on-demand and live access to all Česká televize channels via web, mobile (iOS/Android), and Smart TV. Free to access for all users with content subject to licensing restrictions.
• ČT24 24-hour news channel and accompanying digital portal providing Czech and international news coverage with regional editions for Brno and Ostrava, live streaming, and video on demand.
• ČT1 Main general entertainment channel of Česká televize featuring dramas, comedies, news, and cultural programming for the broader Czech audience.
• ČT2 Secondary channel of Česká televize focusing on documentaries, educational content, and cultural programming.
• ČT Sport Sports channel covering domestic and international sporting events including football, hockey, Tour de France, and other major competitions.
• ČT :D (Děčko) Children's channel and educational platform offering age-appropriate programming for younger viewers, including animated series and educational content.
• ČT art Cultural channel dedicated to arts programming including music, literature, visual arts, and cultural events and performances.
• ČT Edu Educational platform extending educational content and programming accessible to students, teachers, and lifelong learners.
• HbbTV (Červené tlačítko / Red Button) Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV service providing interactive features accessed via the red button on HbbTV-enabled connected TVs, enabling supplementary content and access to ČT online services directly through the TV remote.
• TV Licence Payment System Online platform for managing TV licence fees including registration, payment processing, account management, and direct debit setup for Czech households and businesses.
• Karta ČT (ČT Card) Satellite decryption card converting Skylink Irdeto cards to access Česká televize programmes via satellite DVB-S2 broadcast, provided through partnership with Canal+ Luxembourg.
• ČT E-shop Online retail store selling DVD collections, publications, merchandise, and other products related to Česká televize programming.
• ČT24 Mobile Application Dedicated mobile application for the ČT24 news channel providing streaming, on-demand access, and push notifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Licence fee non-compliance penalty: 10,000 Kč surcharge for failure to register or providing false information; 1,000 Kč for failure to report changes within 15 days.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canal+ Luxembourg S. à r.l. (Skylink)coreTechnology or IntegrationCanal+ Luxembourg S. à r.l. operates the Skylink satellite TV platform in the Czech Republic. Česká televize partners with Skylink to distribute its channels via satellite DVB-S2. Skylink subscribers with Irdeto-encrypted cards can convert their card to Karta ČT free of charge, gaining access to all ČT satellite programmes. ČT24 remains unencrypted and freely available via satellite. The partnership involves card conversion processing, with ČT transmitting card conversion requests to Skylink for technical execution.
• Teiresiás Centre (Masaryk University Brno)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerČeská televize collaborates with the Teiresiás Centre (Centre for Students with Specific Needs) at Masaryk University in Brno to ensure digital accessibility compliance. Teiresiás provides expertise on assistive technologies and accessibility testing for users with visual, hearing, and motor impairments.
• SONS (Sjednocená organizace nevidomých a slabozrakých ČR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerČeská televize maintains contact with the Czech Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted (SONS) for accessibility consultation, ensuring digital products meet accessibility standards for visually impaired users.
• ASNEP (Asociace organizací neslyšících, nedoslýchavých a jejich přátel)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerČeská televize maintains contact with the Association of Organisations of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Their Friends (ASNEP) for accessibility consultation, ensuring services meet accessibility needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
• Česká pošta (Czech Post)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorČeská pošta (Czech Post, state-owned enterprise) serves as a distribution channel for TV licence fee collection via SIPO (Systém identifikace plateb obyvatelstva). Households can register for TV fee payment and make SIPO-based payments at any Czech Post branch. ČT also receives personal data from energy suppliers via Czech Post for identification of unregistered TV fee payers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation): The UK's public service broadcaster, funded by the license fee and operating national TV channels, iPlayer streaming, and digital news. Directly comparable to Czech Television in mandate, multi-channel structure, license fee model, and digital transformation strategy.
• RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana): Italy's national public service broadcaster funded by the license fee (canone Rai). Operates multiple channels (Rai 1, 2, 3, etc.), RaiPlay streaming, and a comparable public service mandate as Czech Television.
• ORF (Österreichischer Rundfunk): Austria's national public broadcaster funded by the Haushaltsabgabe (household fee). Comparable to Czech Television in operating ORF 1, ORF 2, ORF III, ORF Sport +, and the ORF TVthek streaming platform, with a Central European regional overlap.
• ZDF: Germany's national public broadcaster funded by the household fee. Comparable to Czech Television in funding model, multi-channel portfolio (ZDF, ZDFneo, ZDFinfo), and ZDFmediathek streaming platform.
• NOS (NPO): Netherlands' public broadcasting system funded by the household contribution (mediabijdrage). Operates multiple channels (NPO 1, 2, 3) and the NPO Start/Plus streaming platform, structurally similar to Czech Television's funding and multi-channel model.
• TVP (Telewizja Polska): Poland's national public broadcaster funded by license fee. Highly comparable to Czech Television in operating TVP1, TVP2, TVP Info, TVP Sport, TVP VOD streaming, and a Central European public service mandate.
• France Télévisions: France's national public broadcaster funded through a household contribution (contribution à l'audiovisuel public). Comparable to Czech Television in operating multiple channels (France 2, 3, 4, 5, plus francetv.slash) and a centralized digital streaming platform.
• RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal): Portugal's public service broadcaster funded by a license fee. Operates multiple channels (RTP1, RTP2, RTP3, RTP Memória, RTP Açores/Madeira) and the RTP Play streaming platform, comparable to Czech Television's portfolio structure.
• ARD: Consortium of German regional public broadcasters funded by the Rundfunkbeitrag household fee. Directly comparable as a public broadcaster with multiple channels, digital platforms (Mediathek), and a similar public service mission.
• RTVE (Radio Televisión Española): Spain's national public broadcaster. Comparable to Czech Television in operating multiple channels (La 1, La 2, Teledeporte, 24h, Clan), RTVE Play streaming platform, and public service remit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/czechtv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/ceskatelevize
• Facebookfacebook.com/ceskatelevize
• Instagraminstagram.com/ceskatelevize
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/czech-tv

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Česká Televize