Turkish, Austrian state TVs sign deal

Turkish and Austrian state TV channels signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding on cooperation.

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) and Austrian state TV ORF signed the agreement in Vienna, Austria.

"The memorandum of understanding envisages cooperation on stories, documentaries and entertainment programs," TRT's director general Ibrahim Sahin said.

Sahin said ORF was willing to prepare a documentary on Grand Vizier Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha, the commander of the Second Siege of Vienna, and TRT would contribute to the project.

Two agencies would also create a common news story basin, Sahin said.

Sahin said ORF executives wanted to open an office in Istanbul, and also said TRT could broadcast in German in case of any demand.

Established in 1964 to run state radio channels, TRT Ankara Television started first test-runs in 1968. Turkish Radio started 24 hour broadcasting under the name TRT-1 in 1974. Today, TRT broadcasts around the world, especially in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

ORF is the Austrian national public service broadcaster. Funded from a combination of a television licence fees and revenue from limited on-air advertising, ORF is the dominant player in the Austrian broadcast media. Austria was the last country in Europe after Albania to allow national private television.

/World Bulletin/