# Central European Media Enterprises

> media and entertainment company

**Wikidata**: [Q1053787](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1053787)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_European_Media_Enterprises)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/central-european-media-enterprises

## Summary
Central European Media Enterprises (CME) is a media and entertainment company founded in 1994 that operates in the mass media industry. Originally a publicly traded company listed on Nasdaq and the Prague Stock Exchange, it transitioned to a private company limited by shares in 2020 upon acquisition by the PPF Group. Headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, and Hamilton, Bermuda, CME manages a portfolio of television broadcasting subsidiaries across Central and Eastern Europe.

## Key Facts
-   **Founded:** 1994 by Mark Palmer.
-   **Headquarters:** Dual headquarters in Prague, Czech Republic (preferred), and Hamilton, Bermuda (O’Hara House 3 Bermudiana Road).
-   **Ownership:** Wholly owned by PPF Group (100%) since 2020; previously owned by WarnerMedia (74.83%) and TV Bidco (100%).
-   **Legal Status:** Private company limited by shares (formerly a public company).
-   **Industry:** Mass media.
-   **Employees:** 4,100.
-   **Stock Exchange History:** Formerly listed on the Prague Stock Exchange (part of the PX Index) and Nasdaq (ticker symbol: CETV) until October 2020.
-   **Subsidiaries:** TV Nova, BTV Media Group, PRO TV SRL, MARKÍZA - SLOVAKIA, Pro Plus, CME Media Enterprises, and RTL Hrvatska. (Formerly included Nova TV until 2018).
-   **Identifiers:**
    -   ISIN: BMG200452024
    -   Legal Entity Identifier: 54930067ZPEG8H2PPN39
    -   PERMID: 4295859624
    -   ROR ID: 003a1f534
    -   VIAF ID: 151463465
    -   IRS Employer ID: 98-0438382
    -   Library of Congress ID: n2002023265
    -   Crunchbase ID: central-european-media-enterprises
-   **Website:** https://www.cme.net/
-   **Aliases:** CETV, CME, CME Media Services Limited.

## FAQs
**Who owns Central European Media Enterprises?**
CME is currently 100% owned by PPF Group, a relationship that began in 2020. Prior to this, the company was owned by WarnerMedia (which held a 74.83% stake) and TV Bidco.

**Was Central European Media Enterprises a public company?**
Yes, CME was formerly a publicly traded company listed on both the Prague Stock Exchange and Nasdaq under the ticker symbol CETV. It was delisted from both exchanges in October 2020 and is now a private company limited by shares.

**Where are the headquarters of CME located?**
The company maintains dual headquarters. The preferred location is in Prague, Czech Republic, while its legal headquarters are situated in Hamilton, Bermuda, specifically at O’Hara House 3 Bermudiana Road.

**What television stations does CME operate?**
CME operates a portfolio of broadcasting subsidiaries that includes TV Nova (Czech Republic), BTV Media Group, PRO TV SRL (Romania), MARKÍZA - SLOVAKIA, Pro Plus (Slovenia), and RTL Hrvatska (Croatia).

**Who founded Central European Media Enterprises?**
The company was founded in 1994 by Mark Palmer, who is also listed as a director or manager of the organization.

## Why It Matters
Central European Media Enterprises plays a significant role in the media landscape of Central and Eastern Europe by controlling major television broadcasting networks in multiple countries. As a major mass media enterprise, it influences the regional information and entertainment ecosystem through high-profile subsidiaries like TV Nova, PRO TV, and Markíza. The company's transition from a public entity with shares traded on global markets to a private subsidiary of the PPF Group represents a notable shift in the corporate structure and ownership dynamics of European media assets.

## Notable For
-   Operating a vast network of leading television channels across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia, and Croatia.
-   Being publicly traded on both the Nasdaq and the Prague Stock Exchange for nearly two decades before being taken private in 2020.
-   Managing a workforce of 4,100 employees across its various subsidiaries and operations.
-   Founding leadership by Mark Palmer, who established the company in 1994.

## Body

### History and Founding
Central European Media Enterprises was established in 1994 by Mark Palmer. Since its inception, it has grown to become a prominent player in the mass media industry, specifically focusing on television broadcasting. The company was structured as a business and enterprise, eventually becoming a public company to raise capital before returning to private status.

### Corporate Structure and Ownership
CME is legally defined as a private company limited by shares. It operates as a subsidiary, with its parent organization being the PPF Group since 2020. Prior to this acquisition, ownership was held by WarnerMedia (with a 74.83% stake) and TV Bidco (100%). The shift to PPF Group ownership marked the end of its era as a publicly traded company. The company's governance includes leadership roles filled by its founder, Mark Palmer, who acts as a director or manager.

### Headquarters and Operations
The company manages its operations from two primary locations. Its preferred headquarters is in Prague, Czech Republic, situating it within the heart of its broadcast region. Its registered legal headquarters is in Hamilton, Bermuda, located at O’Hara House 3 Bermudiana Road, with the postal code HM 08.

### Stock Market Status
For a significant period, CME was a publicly held company with securities available for purchase by the general public. It was listed on the Prague Stock Exchange, where it was included in the PX Index, and on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol CETV. The company's status as a public company concluded in October 2020, when it was delisted from both exchanges following the acquisition by PPF Group.

### Subsidiaries and Broadcast Portfolio
CME's operational footprint is defined by its extensive portfolio of subsidiaries, which manage television broadcasting assets throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Key subsidiaries include:
*   **TV Nova:** A major broadcaster in the Czech Republic.
*   **PRO TV SRL:** Operating in Romania.
*   **MARKÍZA - SLOVAKIA:** Serving the Slovak market.
*   **Pro Plus:** Active in Slovenia.
*   **RTL Hrvatska:** Operating in Croatia.
*   **BTV Media Group** and **CME Media Enterprises.**
Additionally, the company previously held a stake in **Nova TV** until 2018.

### Identification and External Data
Central European Media Enterprises is cataloged in numerous global databases and registries. It is identified by an ISIN of BMG200452024 and a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) of 54930067ZPEG8H2PPN39. Academic and institutional recognition includes IDs from ROR (003a1f534), VIAF (151463465), and the Library of Congress (n2002023265). It also holds a Crunchbase organization ID and a Freebase ID (/m/0bmvpp). For tax purposes in the United States, the company utilizes the IRS Employer Identification Number 98-0438382.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
4. GRID Release 2017-09-26