bTV is the first private-owned national television channel in Bulgaria. It is owned by Balkan News Corporation, a part of News Corporation, and is reportedly the Bulgarian television channel with the largest audience. The channel is broadcast by air in Bulgaria and by satellite in other parts of Europe, as well as recorded in the Internet. bTV's first broadcast was on 1 June2000 using BNT transmitters. The channel began broadcasting 24 hours a day in 2001 after having gradually extended its programme.
