Media Pro Group have signed an agreement to establish the first nationwide commercial television network in Romania.

The new company, Media Pro International, has three key objectives: to continue to build its existing television and radio network; to win the licence to create the first national commercial television network in Romania; and to explore opportunities to develop the growing cable television business.

With the expertise of CME in developing successful media projects in the evolving economies of central and eastern Europe, and Media Pro's knowledge of the Romanian media business, the new company is precisely positioned to take advantage of the growing market in Romania.

CME chairman, Mr. Ronald S. Lauder, said: "We are now seeing Romania start to develop as a revitalised economy, and the steady expansion in television and radio is now set to increase dramatically. The current advertising spent on television, eight million dollars in 1994, is expected to double every year for at least the next four years.

"Media Pro International is faced with the tremendous opportunity of entering a relatively undeveloped market of over 23 million people. We are confident that the unequalled experience that CME brings to the Romanian market will enable Media Pro International to achieve success and repeat the phenomenal growth we saw with NOVA TV.'' CME launched NOVA TV in February 1994, and it is now a successful Czech commercial television station, a national station that was the first of its kind in the emerging central and eastern European democracies. The company also has significant holdings in regional television stations in the German cities of Berlin and Nuremberg.

They recently announced the formation of a national television production and advertising sales company in Slovenia, in partnership with three leading Slovenian regional broadcasters.

Media Pro, the largest Romanian media group founded by former film director Adrian Sarbu and Jon Tiriac, a leading Romanian banker and businessman, holds several regional television licences and four profitable radio stations in Romania.

Mr. Tiriac said, "Media Pro and CME have taken a major step in the advancement of television in Romania. The economy is poised for expansion and this move will undoubtedly create a platform for stimulating that growth, as well as benefiting from it.'' Managing director of Media Pro, Mr. Adrian Sarbu said, "We look forward to creating the first national commercial network with CME in Romania. CME has assisted us in reaching agreements with the major programme suppliers like FOX, MGM, MCA and Paramount, to supply popular television programming, which together with the local programmes we will produce, means we can roll out an exciting new channel for Romanian audiences, and provide advertisers with a nationwide opportunity to market their products.'' Media Pro International intends to create a popular television format using a formula of entertainment, news, sport and movies, with a significant amount of locally produced programming, which has proven to be successful worldwide.