BELSAT to screen thrillers, cartoons and talk-shows

The Belarusian independent satellite TV channel BELSAT is scheduled on December 10 to begin test broadcasts. Channel’s consultant Syargey Kruchkou tells the European Radio for Belarus that they will start with one hour of original programming from 1800 to 1900 to be repeated within four hours. BELSAT will start a full-scale (16 hours) broadcasting on January 1, 2008.

BELSAT plans to screen feature films, serials and talk-shows on social and economic issues. In addition, the channel is preparing many music shows for the youth, which will not copy the likes on MTV or MusTV. Rather, they will be more serious: analysis and conversations between the host and musicians.

Serials will also be part of the package, but selection will be very strict: no soap operas.

Kruchkou: “There will be no Mexican serials. There will be detective serials and some family serials. The talk was about the Polish, American and European serials. We will see how our Polish friends are going to manage”.

A Polish detective serial is now being translated for BELSAT. Yaraslau Kamenski, BELSAT’s Director of Programming, told the European Radio for Belarus that the channel would offer thrillers as well the flicks not shown by the state-run channels, e.g. Czech movies. According to the programming director, the channel stakes on original quality documentaries. It is planned that two or three films will be definitely presented at the festivals around the world.

Talk-show “Forum” will come out once a week.

“The History of Belarus”, “Should young people stay at home or go West?” and “How owns Belarus: West or Russia?” will be the first topics of the show. Last week, we taped several programs in Vilnius”, says Kamenski.

BELSAT is also working on a New Year musical show in which Belarusian musicians will take part. Kamenski noted in an interview with the European Radio for Belarus that music, cartoons and animation programs would prevail in the first days of January.