Despite official promises about reforming public media to raise standards, viewers remain skeptical. Industry reports show TVP Info posted an average rating around 0.96 percent four days after resuming broadcasts, a sharp drop from the channel’s typical performance before the changes. Comments from observers suggest the upheaval at the network has had a lasting impact on how audiences perceive Polish television and the broadcasters involved.
neoTVP viewership
After the TVP Info signal and regional channels were turned off and new leadership assumed control at the network headquarters, those managing the public broadcaster warned of substantial losses. TVP Info returned to air on a late December evening, featuring news programs and expert insights, as audiences began to tune in again for journalistic coverage.
From the return on December 29 through the start of the new year, the channel drew about 68.1 thousand viewers on average around the clock, translating to a 0.96 percent share of the audience. In the 16-49 demographic the share stood at 0.58 percent and 0.61 percent in the 16-59 segment, according to monitoring data.
These figures reflect a significant decline in relative audience share compared with the long-term trends before the disruption.
Significant decline in shares
During the period from December 29 last year to January 1 this year, TVP Info ranked among the lower tier of news channels in terms of audience share. Competing channels such as TVN24, TV Republika, Polsat News, and Events24 recorded higher shares. Early in the year, TVP Info stood out as a strong second in the rankings, though it fell behind again as market dynamics shifted.
The station also faced a notable drop in daily shares on the crucial turning point December 20, the day service was interrupted. Audience percentages read 0.87, 0.41, and 0.43 in the morning hours, marking a sharp decline evident in the data captured that day.
Across the window from January 1 to December 19 of the current year, public broadcasting shares were observed at 5.08 percent and 1.91 percent respectively, with 2.46 percent also noted in another measure of reach.
Overall, the December 29 through January 1 period showed a pronounced fall in viewership and audience share compared with longer-term benchmarks, with resulting contractions in SHR metrics that pointed to significant audience loss across the network’s channels.
What happened to Polish television
Industry observers discussed the situation with concern, noting that the upheaval involved changes at the network and the removal of numerous staff and equipment. The discourse stressed accountability for those responsible and the broad consequences for public media credibility and audience trust.
Public commentary on social media reflected a sense that the broadcast landscape had shifted, with calls for transparency and responsibility from those who hold leadership roles at the broadcaster.
Observers described this episode as part of a larger pattern affecting the public broadcasting system. The aim of these discussions is to understand how political decisions intersect with programming, staffing, and the overall reputation of state-run media.
Industry commentators also pointed to historical comparisons, noting that the year’s developments affected not just a single program but the balance of competition among news outlets on the airwaves. The contrast with competing networks underscored the fragility of audience loyalty amid organizational upheaval.
Analysts cautioned that the long-term impact would depend on factors such as programming quality, editorial independence, and the ability of the network to reconnect with viewers through credible reporting and transparent operations.
This episode is viewed by many as a stress test for the public media system and a reminder that trust, once eroded, is hard to rebuild without consistent, audience-focused content and clear accountability for leadership decisions.
In summary, the recent months have highlighted the volatility of public broadcasting in a rapidly changing media environment. As audiences observe the evolving lineup and the return of regular programming, questions remain about how effectively the network can regain credibility and deliver reliable journalism to a broad spectrum of viewers.