site.btaBulgarian National Television Director Milotinova Presents Public Broadcaster's Management Programme to Media Regulator

Bulgarian National Television (BNT) Director General Milena Milotinova presented the public broadcaster's management programme to the Council for Electronic Media (CEM), outlining priorities including preparations for hosting Eurovision 2027, digital development and modernization of the television's operations.

Milotinova said the programme builds on the management concept under which she was elected director general and has been updated to reflect new priorities that have emerged since the start of her term. Among them is Bulgaria's preparation to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 after Bulgarian performer Dara won this year's edition of the competition.

"A tremendous amount of work lies ahead. Eurovision is not only the television show itself but a preparation process that lasts more than a year and includes numerous organizational, technical and communication activities," Milotinova said.

She noted that BNT is the leading institution responsible for preparing the event and is working closely with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), state institutions and municipalities interested in hosting the contest.

Milotinova identified programme development, technological modernization and digital transformation as the main pillars of BNT's future development. She said the broadcaster would continue to introduce innovative solutions, including new forms of visual presentation and greater public engagement.

"We are not afraid to compete directly with commercial media. To fulfil our public-service mission, we must reach more people. That is why we strive both to maintain public trust and to increase viewership," she said, citing sociological data showing that BNT enjoys public trust levels exceeding 50%.

The programme also focuses on developing digital platforms as sources of both content and revenue, modernizing regional television centres and strengthening the broadcaster's multimedia presence.

Milotinova said preparations for the next programme season are under way and that both internal and external proposals for new productions will be considered. Established and recognizable formats will be retained, while new concepts will be sought to broaden BNT's audience.

She also stressed the need for a public debate on the funding model for Bulgaria's public-service media. According to her, BNT and Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) will work jointly on the issue, drawing on European best practices and expert support from the media regulator.

BNT Management Board member Ivelina Dimitrova said the broadcaster had completed a comprehensive structural and functional analysis, as well as audience and content research. She added that plans include updating the programme schedule, developing new formats and optimizing work processes.

BNT's management also reported audience growth for its news programmes and for sports channel BNT 3, including during coverage of major international sporting events.

Management Board member Vera Alexandrova said a review of the broadcaster's structure had revealed overlaps in responsibilities and duplication between certain departments.

She added that public-interest campaigns occupy an important place in the management programme. Successful examples cited included initiatives linked to the Giro d'Italia and the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising.

Alexandrova and Milotinova noted that the flagship news programme "Po Sveta i u Nas" (Around the World and at Home), as well as BNT 3, had improved their ratings.

Management Board member Georgi Slanchev said the objectives set out in the programme were ambitious but realistic and that BNT's leadership would work to strengthen the broadcaster's public role, advance its technological renewal and expand its audience.