site.btaCEM Unanimously Approves BNT Director General Milotinova's Management Programme

The Council for Electronic Media (CEM) unanimously approved the management programme of Bulgarian National Television (BNT) Director General Milena Milotinova after discussing the document with the public broadcaster's management team on Friday.

Milotinova said the programme builds on the concept under which she was elected director general and incorporates new priorities that have emerged since she took office. Among them is the preparation for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 following Bulgaria's victory in this year's edition.

She described the organization of the contest as one of BNT's biggest challenges in the coming months, adding that the broadcaster was already coordinating with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), state institutions and municipalities interested in hosting the event.

Milotinova identified BNT's key priorities as programme, technological and digital development. She said the broadcaster would continue introducing innovative solutions and new forms of communication with audiences while pursuing both its public-service mission and higher viewership.

Among the objectives outlined in the programme are the modernization of regional television centres, the development of digital platforms, and preparations for a new programme season, including the collection of internal and external proposals for television formats. She said established programmes with strong public recognition would be retained, while new ideas and audiences would also be sought.

Milotinova also highlighted the need for a broader debate on the financing of public-service media. She said BNT would work together with Bulgarian National Radio to examine European best practices and seek a sustainable funding model.

Members of BNT's management board reported that structural and functional analyses of the broadcaster's activities were already underway, alongside audience and content-efficiency studies. They said efforts would focus on optimizing processes, updating the programme schedule and developing new television formats.

According to data presented to CEM, BNT's news programmes have recorded growth in viewership, while sports channel BNT 3 outperformed competing sports channels during coverage of international sporting events such as the Giro d'Italia.

BNT's management also said the broadcaster would continue developing public information campaigns and making greater use of its archive to create content with cultural and educational value.

CEM also approved the distribution of responsibilities among the members of BNT's management board, with CEM member Galina Georgieva abstaining from the vote.