The First Channel hosts a regional conference-seminar “Digital Transformation” of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Tbilisi. Representatives of Public Broadcasters from 10 countries are participating in the seminar.

As the representative of the Public Broadcaster of Turkey Abdurrahman Acikgoz stated at the conference, digital transformation is inevitable for the whole world.

“Those who cannot implement digital transformation will be absolutely ineffective. The members of the European Broadcasting Union have gathered to share experiences, common opportunities and discuss the main challenges we face. For us being here is a unique opportunity to meet colleagues and share ideas,” – said Abdurrahman Acikgoz.

According to the representative of the Public Broadcaster of Germany, Jonas Stricker, the main challenge of digitization is that people use media in a completely different way today than ten years ago.

“It is a great honor for me to talk about the changes that are being implemented on my broadcaster. However, it is even more important to study the experience of other broadcasters. I arrived in Georgia for the first time. I am full of curiosity. I think that the main challenge of digitization is that today people use media in a completely different way than ten years ago. The significance of traditional broadcasting is changing. Now we have to reach the youth through mobiles and develop a completely different format of media. Another problem is the old structure that needs to be changed. We need to rebuild a new organizational structure for broadcasters”, – said Jonas Stricker.

Vasil Maghlaperidze, General Director of First Channel noted that the television is completely being transferred to the new technologies.

“The words – digital broadcasting has long been heard, but this is what is happening in media currently. Television is completely being transferred to new technologies. For the First Channel, this is the main task of 2019-2020. The television is completely being transferred to the new technologies and the old one will stay in the past”, – Vasil Maghlaperidze said.

The First Channel, EBU, OSCE, and EU representation in Georgia held a regional seminar in the last years as well. Institutionalized and legal challenges in the process of transformation of public broadcasters, and setting of cooperation means were the main topics for discussions.

The First Channel pays special attention to international activities over media issues and strengthening of partnership with public broadcasters of the European countries.

Representatives of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) visited First Channel on February 12 and met with First Channel’s management.