BOSNIA / A last minute solution found for the EBU

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has managed to do a last-minute deal with the Bosnian public service broadcaster BHRT. As a reminder, BHRT had until June 8^th to repay the EBU a debt of 6 million Swiss francs (€5.4 million).

“In recent weeks talks with BHRT have been productive,” the EBU’s Director General, Ingrid Deltenre said in a statement “and we’re pleased to have reached an agreement allowing us to continue providing our services for members, including the rights for UEFA’s Euro 2016 and the exchange of news items.” No details were given.

But according to the private channel N1, BHRT has apparently paid back 10% of its debt to unblock the situation and be able to broadcast Euro 2016 – for which the Bosnian team did not qualify.

“This is the first good news for BHRT for a long time,” welcomed the channel’s CEO, Belvin Karamehdovic. In late May, the group announced it might have to close its offices at the end of June if the government did not find a way of redressing the company’s finances.

Now it has secured the rights to transmit Euro 2016, broadcasts will continue until at least July 10^th, the day of the final. The EBU hopes by then a solution will have been found with the Bosnian government to keep the public service broadcaster going.

Sources : UER, Balkan Insight, Eurovisionary