BTV (Bulgaria)

bTV is the first private nationwide television channel in Bulgaria. It is operated by bTV Media Group, as part of Central European Media Enterprises, and is reportedly the Bulgarian television channel with the largest viewing audience. It was previously owned by Balkan News Corporation, part of News Corporation. On February 18, 2010, News Corp announced that it had agreed to sell 94% of bTV (along with bTV Comedy and bTV Cinema) to Central European Media Enterprises, after many months of negotiations. The US$400M deal was completed in the second quarter of 2010. bTV has a 37% market share in Bulgaria. bTV is broadcast terrestrially in Bulgaria and by satellite internationally. Most of the channel's original content is available on its Internet site. bTV's first broadcast was on 1 June 2000 using BNT transmitters for Efir 2. The channel began broadcasting 24 hours a day on February 18, 2001, after having gradually extended its program. On October 7, 2012, the channel began broadcasting an HD version, and the old SD channel converted to 16:9 for most newer programs. bTV is the leading channel in bTV Media Group along with - bTV Comedy, bTV Cinema, bTV Action, bTV Lady and RING. bTV also owns six radio stations - bTV Radio, N-JOY, Z-Rock, Classic FM, and Jazz FM. bTV airs reality shows like Idol (under the name Music Idol, 2007–2009), six seasons of Survivor (see Survivor BG, 2006–2009, 2014, 2022-), eight seasons of Got Talent (see Balgariya tarsi talant, 2010, 2012, 2014–2016,2019,2021-), the first two Bulgarian seasons of Dancing with the Stars (under the name Dancing Stars, 2008–2009), one season of Beauty and the Geek(2005), three seasons of Fort Boyard(2008-2010), two seasons of Psychic Challenge (under the name Yasnovidtsi, 2008–2009), one season of Lord of the Chefs, (2011), eight seasons of The Voice of... (under the name The Voice of Bulgaria, 2011, 2013–2014, 2017-), eight seasons of MasterChef (2015-2021, 2023), seven seasons of The Farm (under the name Fermata, 2015-) and TV games like Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (under the name Tova go znae vsyako hlape" "Every kid knows that", 2007–2009).