Diema

Diema is a Bulgarian television channel whose programming has developed around films, action-oriented series and sports. It is part of Nova Broadcasting Group, the Bulgarian television group owned by United Group. The channel is associated with a wider Diema-branded portfolio that has included sports services such as Diema Sport and has operated alongside Nova Sport in the distribution of sports content. The brand originated with Diema Vision, a Bulgarian television company founded on 15 May 1999 by Emil Slavchev, Kalina Mihaylova, Anatoli Belchev and Asen Radulov. Its first owned channel was Diema+, which initially broadcast for approximately 12 hours per day. The service moved to a full 24-hour schedule in November 1999. Its early growth was supported by a programming mix centered on feature films and television series, helping it establish a presence in Bulgaria's developing multichannel television market. Diema Vision expanded its channel portfolio in 2003 with the launch of Diema 2. At the end of 2005, the company was sold to Apace Media, whose ownership was associated with Bulgarian media entrepreneur Kamen Vodenicharov. In March 2007, Diema Vision became part of Balkan Media Group Limited, a joint venture involving Apace Media Group UK and Modern Times Group, an international entertainment and broadcasting company. As part of that change, the main channel was rebranded from Diema+ to Diema, removing the plus sign from the name. A further structural change came in March 2009, when Modern Times Group announced an agreement to combine the assets of Balkan Media Group Limited with Nova Television, which it had acquired. This placed Diema within the Nova television structure and connected the channel more closely with the broader Nova family of Bulgarian television services. On 12 September 2011, Diema changed its visual identity and logo together with other Nova TV channels, reinforcing the brand's position within the group. Diema's programming identity includes mainstream film and entertainment content, particularly films and action series. The broader Diema sports offering has carried or been associated with coverage of football competitions and national-team events, including English Premier League matches, the FA Cup, UEFA European Championship qualifying matches and home matches of the England national football team. Sports content may be distributed across Diema-branded channels and related services rather than solely on the principal Diema channel. The channel's ownership and portfolio context has changed over time, but the Diema name has remained a recognizable Bulgarian television brand. Its present identity is best understood as one component of Nova Broadcasting Group's channel portfolio, combining general entertainment programming with links to a larger sports broadcasting operation.

Diema traces its origins to Diema Vision, a Bulgarian television company founded on 15 May 1999 by Emil Slavchev, Kalina Mihaylova, Anatoli Belchev and Asen Radulov. The company's first owned service was Diema+, a channel initially operating for around 12 hours each day. It expanded to a 24-hour schedule in November 1999, establishing the basis for a continuous television service built around films, series and entertainment programming. The company broadened its operations in 2003 by launching Diema 2. This expansion created a small channel portfolio rather than a single-service operation and helped develop the Diema name within Bulgaria's commercial television market. At the end of 2005, Diema Vision was sold to Apace Media. The transaction shifted the brand into a new ownership phase associated with Apace Media and Kamen Vodenicharov. In March 2007, Diema Vision became part of Balkan Media Group Limited. The group was formed as a joint venture between Apace Media Group UK and Modern Times Group, known internationally as MTG. During this reorganization, the principal channel was renamed Diema, with the former plus sign removed from Diema+'s identity. The change simplified the consumer-facing name while retaining continuity with the established channel. Another important transition occurred in March 2009. MTG announced an agreement under which the assets of Balkan Media Group Limited would be combined with Nova Television, which MTG had acquired. This connected Diema to the Nova television family and placed the channel within a larger Bulgarian broadcasting structure. On 12 September 2011, Diema adopted a new logo and visual style alongside other Nova TV channels, reflecting this group relationship in its on-air presentation. Diema's core editorial profile has centered on films and action series. The wider Diema portfolio also became associated with sports broadcasting, including football properties such as English Premier League matches, the FA Cup, UEFA European Championship qualifying matches and home matches of the England national football team. Sports programming has been distributed through related services including Diema Sport and in conjunction with Nova Sport, so the principal Diema channel should not be treated as identical to every service carrying the Diema name. The channel is identified as part of Nova Broadcasting Group and is owned ultimately by United Group. Its history therefore combines the development of a Bulgarian entertainment channel with repeated corporate restructuring and portfolio integration. The Diema name continues to function as a television brand within the Nova Broadcasting Group ecosystem, with a positioning that links general entertainment to a broader sports-media offering.

• 2011

  Visual identity refreshed

  [1]Diemaen.wikipedia.org

  Diema changed its logo and visual identity together with other Nova TV channels.

• 2009

  Integration with Nova Television

  [1]Diemaen.wikipedia.org

  MTG announced the combination of Balkan Media Group's assets with Nova Television.

• 2007

  Reorganization and rename to Diema

  [1]Diemaen.wikipedia.org

  Diema Vision joined Balkan Media Group Limited and the main channel dropped the plus sign from its name.

• 2005

  Ownership transferred to Apace Media

  [1]Diemaen.wikipedia.org

  Diema Vision was sold to Apace Media at the end of the year.

• 2003

  Diema 2 launched

  [1]Diemaen.wikipedia.org

  Diema Vision launched a second channel, Diema 2.

• 1999

  Diema Vision founded

  [1]Diemaen.wikipedia.org

  Diema Vision was founded on 15 May 1999 by Emil Slavchev, Kalina Mihaylova, Anatoli Belchev and Asen Radulov.

• 1999

  Diema+ begins 24-hour broadcasting

  [1]Diemaen.wikipedia.org

  The original Diema+ channel expanded from an approximately 12-hour schedule to round-the-clock broadcasting in November.

A Bulgarian television entertainment brand combining film and action-series programming with access to selected sports broadcasts through its wider channel portfolio.

• Television channel · 1999

  Diema

  The principal Diema channel is a Bulgarian television service focused mainly on films and action series. Its identity developed from the earlier Diema+ service and was simplified to Diema in 2007 after the brand entered Balkan Media Group. The channel is now associated with Nova Broadcasting Group and sits within a broader portfolio that also includes sports-oriented Diema services.

• Television channel · 2003

  Diema 2

  Diema 2 was the second channel introduced by Diema Vision, launched in 2003 as the company expanded beyond its original Diema+ service. Available historical information identifies it as a portfolio extension, but does not establish its present operating status or detailed programming schedule.

• Sports television channel

  Diema Sport

  Diema Sport is a sports-oriented service associated with the wider Diema television portfolio. Diema-branded and related Nova Sport services have carried football and other sports programming, including selected English and international football rights. The available reference does not provide a complete account of the service's launch history or current rights inventory.

• 2009

  Combine Balkan Media Group assets with Nova TelevisionM&A

  Background

  Modern Times Group sought to align the assets of Balkan Media Group Limited with its newly acquired Nova Television operation.

  Action taken

  MTG announced an agreement to merge or combine the relevant assets with Nova Television.

  Aftermath

  Diema became more closely integrated into the Nova television family and later operated within the Nova Broadcasting Group structure.

  Source

• 2007

  Rename the main channel from Diema+ to DiemaGeneration change

  Background

  Following Diema Vision's entry into Balkan Media Group Limited, the principal channel was given a simplified name.

  Action taken

  The plus sign was removed and the channel was presented as Diema.

  Aftermath

  The rename established the shorter Diema identity used within the subsequent Nova television structure.

  Source

1. 1Diemaen.wikipedia.org