Summary

In spite of official assurances about the public character of TVP S.A., it still remained one of the many tools of practicing politics. Although the viewers' interest in information and publicistic programmes decreased, all political forces which were in power at a given moment attempted to exert influence on the content of broadcasts. The politicisation of public television was also manifested by the selection of personnel. Managerial posts were appointed according to the party affiliation, and this procedure was realized even at the lowest decision levels.
The programme content of TVP S.A. was a compromise between the requirements of the market and the proper provisions of the Act about Radio and Television. Therefore, the programmes were eclectic, which was sometimes referred to as a universal programme. Viewers' opinions concerning TVP S.A were relatively good. However, its range was decreasing, and private broadcasters eliminated effectively the monopolistic position of public television. Although the successive governments attempted to control public television at the beginning of the 21st century, they could not achieve political and ideological domination. Thanks to the activity of private broadcasters the Polish viewer could independently make choice among opinions which he or she approved.