Knowlimits Group, one of the significant creditors of the Barrandov television group with claims amounting to tens of millions of Czech crowns, has filed an official submission to the insolvency administrator. The creditor demands clarification of contractual and financial relationships between the indebted company Barrandov Televizní Studio (BTS) and the firm S-24 akvizice II, controlled by businessman Jan Čermák.
The main subject of the dispute is the fact that the license for TV Barrandov's main channel is no longer held by the bankrupt operator, but by S-24 akvizice II. This company acquired broadcasting rights after BTS's original license expired in May 2025. The creditor fears that the transfer of a key asset outside the indebted firm's assets could harm entities to whom the television owes money.
In the document sent to the insolvency administrator, Knowlimits Group points out that broadcasting is the only activity that generates revenues usable for debt repayment. The company therefore asks whether advertising revenues remain with the original firm or go to the new license holder. According to the statement from TV director Andrea Miai Geyer from the end of May, BTS's operations are being terminated, and broadcasting continues through S-24 akvizice II, with the justification that this model could yield higher fulfillment in a future sale to an investor.
“From publicly available sources, it is no longer clear on what basis and under what conditions TV Barrandov is operating. There are concerns whether the current setup does not harm Barrandov Televizní Studio or its creditors.”
The situation is further complicated by the position of the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting (RRTV), which has initiated steps to revoke licenses for Barrandov Krimi and Barrandov Kino channels. Although these still belong to the indebted BTS, due to bankruptcy and the court's decision to cease enterprise operations, the station may lose them. Without the main license, the television is additionally difficult to monetize as a functioning entity within insolvency proceedings.
The creditor also inquires whether there are guarantees that the license for the main program can revert to BTS if the enterprise is sold in bankruptcy. Owner Jan Čermák previously announced the entry of a foreign investor, which was supposed to be facilitated by the consolidation of licenses under a new entity. However, Knowlimits Group demands evidence that this procedure does not harm creditors and that finances from TV Barrandov's operations still go towards settling debts of the original company.
The legal framework for the sale or transfer of shares in licensed companies is also strictly regulated by the broadcasting law. It stipulates that any change of the controlling person requires prior consent of the RRTV, and the original shareholders must maintain at least a two-thirds share of voting rights for five years from the grant of the license.