Preparations for its launching started in June 2006 under the leadership of Agnieszka Romaszewska-Guzy, present director of Belsat TV. The launching was done in cooperation with members of the Association of Belarusian Journalists – recipient of the prestigious Andrei Sakharov Human Rights Award of the European Parliament.

Formally the channel was established by virtue of an agreement signed by the Polish Foreign Ministry and Telewizja Polska S.A. (Polish Public Television) on joint long-term development and financing of Belsat TV.

Currently Belsat TV broadcasts from 6:00 a.m. Warsaw time (7:00 a.m. Minsk time).

Belsat TV is available through the most popular satellite system in Belarus – Astra 4A (old Sirius 4) position 5 degrees E, polarization H, frequency 12,379.6 MHZ).

In the western Belarus and in the European Union BELSAT is available through the satellite Astra 1KR, position 19,2° E, polarization H, frequency 10 862 MHz

In addition, most programs are also accessible via our website - www.belsat.eu. In the Podlasie region of eastern Poland, Belsat TV is offered by cable TV operators. The channel is made available to cable operators on the basis of a free licence.

Consequently, Belsat TV aims at providing the Belarusian society with access to >>uncensored information, >>true account of the history of their country, >>full picture of the international situation around Belarus and >>appealing cultural and entertainment offer in Belarusians’ mother tongue. The channel also serves the purpose of building bridges between Europe and Belarus and of promoting democratisation processes in that country.

Interestingly, Belsat has already achieved one of its objectives. At the start it was the only television channel that broadcasted exclusively in Belarusian. Under its influence and that of other Belarusian-language media – mainly independent foreign-based radio stations – the share of the Belarusian language has gradually increased also in broadcasts by State-owned radio and television. In this manner, the native language of the Belarusian people is coming out of hiding and returning to everyday use.

Despite these nuisances, Belsat TV has 70 employees and permanent collaborators in Poland and 120 collaborators in Belarus. Its programming is produced in Minsk, Warsaw, Białystok, Vilnius and Prague.

Popularity of Belsat TV

Nearly half a million Belarusian adults watch programs of Belsat TV regularly. Other 500,000 watch our programs a few times monthly or watched ocassionally before. 44% of interviewees are aware of our activity. 47% of respondents trust programs of state-owned TV channels in a varying degree whereas 43% do not or more likely not. Such result was obtained by the survey carried out by JSC «Zerkalo-Info» Center for Marketing and Sociological Investigations in the period of December, 9-20, 2011.

In total, the audience of Belsat TV numbers more than a million people. The survey also presents the amount of our prospective viewers (12%): 3% of interviewees are about to start watching Belsat TV and 9% of respondents are looking for an opportunity of joining the audience .

There are more males (61%) and people in the 25 to 49 age bracket possessing a certificate of secondary education or a university degree (in total 95%) among our viewers. Most of them belong to such professional groups as businessmen, officials and engineering employees.

Awareness of Belsat TV

Belarusian TV viewers use terrestrial, cable, satellite and Internet television, a lot of TV channels being at their disposal. For this reason 56% of respondents answered the question «Are you aware of the existence of the Belsat TV channel?» in the negative whereas 44% of viewers admitted being informed of the activity of the first Belarusian independent satellite television.

State-owned television credibility

The respondents were divided into two groups by the question «To what extent do you trust state-owned television programs?» The simple majority (47%) answered in the affirmative, 43% mistrust or more likely mistrust. 10% of interviewees decided on the option «It is difficult to answer».

Among the people trusting state-owned TV females and the people aged 50 and older prevail. And vice versa, mistrusting respondents are predominantly males and the people under 50.

Television and Internet accessibility

The survey shows that nearly all Belarusian adults (96%) are television viewers, more than half of them (58%) being Internet users. The total number of Internet users has grown in comparing to that of the 2010 survey (55%) but the rate of increase is low.

29% of interviewees surf Internet practically every day. In December, 2010 this figure was equal to 24%. Yet at the same time 38% of Belarusians do not have any Internet access point. It has remained unchanged since December, 2010.

*The opinion survey was being carried out in the period of December, 9-20, 2011. Belarusian citizens aged 18 and older were being interviewed; 1502 respondents taking part in a quota sample. A respondent’s monitored parameters are the following: place of residence, dimensions of a place of residence; sex; age; education. Statistical uncertainty does not reach beyond 1,2%.

Every day at 8:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. Minsk time), Belsat viewers can watch In Focus – the only uncensored TV news service in Belarus. Our reporters work round the clock in all main Belarusian centres. As a result we are the fastest and best informed provider of news for and about Belarus.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Two vs two... is a weekly encounter with outstanding politicians, leading Belarusian experts, intellectuals and artists.

Produced in Vilnius in cooperation with Lithuanian Public TV, the Forum talk show touches on most urgent problems facing the Belarusian society. Its host Eduard Melnikau invites representatives of various Belarusian social and political groups to the Vilnius studio. Regrettably, the chair reserved for a representative of the Belarusian authorities has remained empty.

In the Svaboda zone, journalists of our partner station Radio Free Europe – Radio Liberty discuss and sum up the events of the past week.

Press-Express presents a weekly review of State-owned and independent press, whereas the new magazine The World and We, produced in Warsaw and Brussels, analyses latest developments in international politics.

Mouthpiece is a new magazine where the outstanding linguist Zmicier Sauka takes viewers on a fascinating voyage along the meanders of the Belarusian language. Balance explains how economy works. Personal Capital shows how to manage the household budget. I Have the Right teaches viewers how to deal with Belarusian bureaucracy and examines legal violations committed by the Belarusian authorities.

DOCUMENTARIES AND CURRENT REPORTS

Since 2009, Belsat TV has produced nearly 90 documentaries and current reports inside Belarus which have become the channel’s showpieces and have won many prizes at prestigious festivals and reviews. Most of these productions deal with contemporary life in Belarus and with its history – presented in an honest and exhaustive way, and free of official propaganda.

CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT

Belsat TV is a safe heaven for those Belarusian artists whose work is banned in Belarus. Shows such as Private Collection present most important cultural news: music albums, bands, films, books and paintings by outstanding Belarusian artists. Note or Author’s Comment is a cultural review devoted to literature, audiovisual art and theatre. Each part of the program has its own host and an attractive contemporary appearance. In the part called The Word, newly published books are presented by the writer Svyatlana Adziniec, who – as the name of the program suggests – often relies on brief commentaries by authors and literary experts and critics. Visual art is the domain of the graphic artist Mikhal Anyem¬padystau who takes viewers on tours of most important displays and events in the world of photography, graphic art and painting. The part of the program devoted to theatre is hosted by the art historian and critic Lizavyeta Mikhalchuk.

FEATURE FILMS AND SERIES

An important element of Belsat TV’s offer is found in feature films and popular TV series – always dubbed into Belarusian. This is how the channel reaches a wide audience with its mission of popularizing and reinforcing proficiency in the Belarusian language. On Belsat TV film lovers will find both international blockbusters and ambitious cinema for the connoisseur.

CHILDERN’S SHOWS

No less important are children’s programs – combining play and education for youngest viewers. The Belarusian version of the Adventures of Uszatek the Bear produced specially for Belsat has become a true hit in Belarus. Lippy and Messy is a show that teaches children English through play.

Jerzy Giedroyc Prize awarded to AGNIESZKA ROMASZEWSKA-GUZY and BELSAT TV team for their work and commitment to promotion of the Polish raison d'État.

The prize, handed by the the "Rzeczpospolita" newspaper, is one of the most prestigious awards given to people or institutions that act for Polish national interest and improve relations with peoples of Eastern Europe. The “Rzeczpospolita” award is under the patronage of the Polish President.

The prize is awarded by the jury composed of: Czesław Bielecki, Zygmunt Berdychowski, Adam Boniecki, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Krzysztof Czyzewski, Jolanta Darczewska, Grzegorz Gauden, Zbigniew Gluza, Natalia Gorbaniewska, Marek Krawczyk, Irena Lasota, Paweł Lisicki, Bohdan Osadczuk, Krzysztof Piesiewicz, Zbigniew Romaszewski, Wojciech Sikora, Radosław Sikorski.

Reality Show: Elections directed by Mikolaj Wawrzeniuk

The first prize at the film festival Camera Obscura in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Dniuka directed by Andrej Kutsiwwa and Aleksander Nalivajka

The first prize for short documentary at the International Documentary Film Festival TRANZYT in Poznan

Lobotomy dierected by Juriy Khashchevatski

An audience award and a special award for an „original expression and social empathy”. IX International Documentary Film Festival in Kishinev, Moldova, 2011.

Mantsinsaari Robinsons directed by Viktor Ashluk.

Le Prix international de la Scam – 31st International Festival of Documentary Films "Cinema du Reel", Paris (France). Prize of the Civic Association of Multimedia Authors. Special mention at the 23rd International Festival of TV Productions in Berlin. This last competition was conducted under the patronage of the Council of Europe and European Parliament.

Balance created by Aleksey Minchonak and Piotr Dziakowski.
Awarded in the Economic Magazine category for “professionalism demonstrated in an extremely difficult production environment”: 14th Polish Review of Documentary Forms BAZAR, Poznań (Poland).

Ada’s Gallery directed by Uladzimir Kolas.
First Prize: 8th International Festival of Creative Documentary Films “Escales Documentaires”, La Rochelle (France).
Golden Goddess Award in the National Character category – Golden Drum International Film and Television Festival, Khanty-Mansiysk (Russia).
Prix Europa 2008 special award for the best regional low-budget documentary film, Berlin (Germany). The competition was conducted under the patronage of the Council of Europe and European Parliament.

Atomic Ostrowiec directed by Mikolay Wawzhenyuk
Prize of Honour at the 36th International Festival of Sustainable Development Films, Bratislava (Slovakia).

Homeland of My Thoughts directed by Yury Harulou
First Prize – Multimedia Festival “Polish Homelands – 2008”, Częstochowa (Poland).

Heart behind Bars directed by Volha Nikalaychyk
Golden Goddess Award in the Current Affairs category – Golden Drum International Film and Television Festival, Khanty-Mansiysk (Russia).

Outcasts. Jewish Partisans of Belarus directed by Alexander Stupnikov
Award for fidelity in presenting history. 5th festival “Jewish motifs”, Warsaw (Poland)

In the sight of the regime directed by Mikołaj Wawrzeniuk and Tomasz Janulis
Prize in category Film-Report “for presenting how important and how dangerous is making private business in Belarus”. 15th Documentary Movies Review, Poznań (Poland)

Polish Ministry of External Affairs and Telewizja Polska S.A. (Polish Public TV). Belsat TV is an initiative benefiting from special patronage of the Polish Ministry of External Affairs. The project is financed to a large degree from the State budget reserve earmarked for support of international cooperation on behalf of democracy and civic society, managed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Telewizja Polska S.A. provides technical and infrastructure support, and co-finances Belsat TV productions.

SIDA – Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency provided a grant of 15 million Swedish Krona for 2010-2012. The grant is meant to be spent on overall promotion of the channel’s mission.

CURRENT PARTNERS

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands within the Matra KAP project in 2009 granted a subsidy for the production of the Hitchhiking through Europe show series and in 2010 - it sponsored series of programs on the elections.


Nordic Council of Ministers in 2010 provided a subsidy to be applied to the production of a dozen or so programs in the Belsat's Guest show series.
In 2011 have we received a financial support for the production of the weekly "Forum" talk show and for organizing trainings for students from the European Humanities University in Vilnius.

EARLIER PARTNERS

European Commission via Media Consulta within the framework of the EuropeAid program, Belsat TV jointly with TV5 Ukraine, TV Moldova and RTVi Russia produces the weekly current affairs show Window on Europe, which presents leading European Union projects conducted in Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and Moldova.

Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs assisted in the production of the Forum talk show - taped in Vilnius.

Government of Great Britain subsidised purchases of TV equipment and training of TV crews.

U.S. State Department via the International Research and Exchanges Board
The U.S. State Department extended a sub-grant to produce a few programs and purchase TV equipment.

Government of Ireland via Irish Aid helped to finance training of Belarusian journalists working for Belsat.

MEDIA PARTNERS

Deutsche Welle TV donates the following programs to Belsat TV: Motor mobil (On Wheels) – automotive news show, Europa aktuell (Europe Today) – European current affairs show, Projekt Zukunft (Project Future) – popular-science magazine presenting the latest in technology and human progress.

Belarusian Radio “Racyja” participates in the production of the weekly press review show Press Express.

Lithuanian Public Television (LTV) assists in the production of the weekly Forum talk show.

The channel development strategy is based on the assumption that foreign financial support in the form of donations will be gradually increasing and that the Belsat project will in time take on an international character. As the bulk of project costs is covered by the Polish government, foreign partners are not exposed to financial risks. Their participation is key in ensuring Belsat’s political credibility and stability. It is also important to show the Belarusian society that it can count on the support of more than one country.

International subsidies will be most effective if spent on purchase and production of new programs as that has paramount importance in raising the channel’s appeal. Foreign assistance can also contribute to covering the cost of TV crew training and equipment purchases for use in Belarus.

Depending on the level of pledged financial assistance, the governments of partner states will be able to decide which programs they wish to sponsor and to what extent.

Governments and institutions interested in helping Belsat TV are kindly asked to contact:
Bogusława Ogrzebacz
Belsat TV
Plac Powstańców Warszawy 7
00-999 Warsaw, Poland
Cell: +48 785 985 456
Ground.: +48 22 547 69 07
Fax: +48 22 547 68 94
E-mail: boguslawa.ogrzebacz@tvp.pl
Website: www.belsat.eu

Belsat is also looking for advertisers and commercial sponsors: since 2009, advertising on Belsat TV is available via the Telewizja Polska S.A. Advertising Department. Advertisers are offered two time spots – after the daily program announcement and directly after the main edition of the In Focus news service – the most watched Belsat show.

Corporations interested in advertising on or sponsoring Belsat TV are kindly asked to contact:
Agata Górnicka
Belsat TV
Plac Powstańców Warszawy 7
00-999 Warsaw, Poland
Tel.: +48 22 547 69 07
Fax: +48 22 547 68 94
E-mail: agata.gornicka@tvp.pl
Website: www.belsat.eu