United Group has continued to deliver on its strategic vision across Southeast Europe, advancing its growth agenda through innovation, customer experience, infrastructure investment and product development. Across its portfolio, the Group is driving digital transformation, investing in next-generation networks, and embedding sustainability into its operations.

In this update, we highlight recent developments from our Greek and Bulgarian operations.

Bulgaria

Nova Broadcasting Group

Record-breaking spring season and major rebrand

• Nova Broadcasting Group has delivered its strongest spring season launch in 15 years, with the flagship channel securing an audience share of over 34.8% among the active-age population during the first week of prime-time broadcasting – significantly outperforming its nearest competitor and marking the highest launch-week result in the channel’s history.
• The season follows a comprehensive rebranding of Nova’s core channels – NOVA, NOVA NEWS and KINO NOVA – with a new visual identity developed in partnership with DixonBaxi, a leading global brand agency.

AI-driven editorial innovation

• Nova continues to invest in AI to support its editorial teams. Its proprietary NewsBuild.ai platform, developed with Google and FT Strategies, automates routine newsroom processes and expands research capabilities, enabling editors to focus on core journalistic work.
• Separately, Nova has deployed Vbox8, an AI-enabled platform that transforms linear broadcast content into multiple VOD formats — automating subtitling, formatting and distribution to platforms including YouTube and TikTok.

Hybrid content distribution and influencer partnerships

• Nova has advanced its hybrid content distribution model, extending flagship formats across TV, OTT, social media, podcasts and live events. The grand final of Your Face Sounds Familiar is scheduled for 18 May at Arena 8888 in Sofia.
• Nova has also launched a scaled influencer partnership programme, bringing together more than 100 personalities from its primetime formats to amplify reach across digital channels.

Vivacom

Global recognition in satellite services

• Vivacom has been recognised as one of the fastest-growing satellite service providers globally, ranking third in the World Teleport Association’s 2025 fastest-growing list. Its satellite portfolio serves international clients including Disney, National Geographic Channel and France Media Monde, supported by three ground stations in Bulgaria and two additional facilities under development for LEO connectivity projects.

First-in-market fibre and Wi-Fi 7 technology

• Vivacom has become the first operator in Bulgaria to launch FTTR (Fibre To The Room) technology combined with Wi-Fi 7, delivering fibre-optic connectivity directly to every room for consistently high-speed, low-latency performance in homes and offices. The discreet installation integrates seamlessly into any interior.

Expanded premium content on EON

• Vivacom has expanded the premium content on its EON platform, adding more than ten new channels including SkyShowtime, BBC First, BBC Earth and Love Nature – broadening the platform’s appeal across film, series and documentary audiences.

Job Lab: investing in young people’s futures

• Vivacom has launched Job Lab, a community programme developing soft and digital skills among secondary school students. The initiative combines on-site workshops, independent assessment and study visits to Vivacom’s headquarters, with tailored modules on AI and digital skills for underprivileged youth. The pilot is running across Sofia, Blagoevgrad, Varna and Veliko Tarnovo.

Greece

Nova

Leading pay-TV provider with premium content and an advanced platform experience

• Nova has continued to strengthen its position as one of Greece’s leading pay-TV providers, with premium sports rights including the Greek Super League, UEFA Champions League, Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, the NBA and Wimbledon, alongside first-run film and series content through exclusive agreements with major studios and European distributors.
• This content is delivered through the EON platform, offering an on-demand catalogue of more than 6,500 assets with personalised recommendations, time-shift functionality and integrated live sports statistics.

Customer-focused product innovation

• Nova’s Product Strategy is firmly rooted in Customer-Focused Growth, consistently placing the customer at the center by anticipating evolving needs and designing meaningful solutions.
• The company kicked off 2026 introducing an industry-first mobile portfolio featuring “More the Merrier” pricing, unified household plans, perpetual data rollover, and GB control to eliminate bill shock, thus reinforcing its commitment to turning customer needs into the foundation of every product and experience.  This was followed-up by Nova’s latest launch, the 5G SA (Stand Alone) which redefines the meaning of connectivity for Greece, by offering even higher speeds (up to 500 Mbps) via its 5G Stand Alone (5G SA) network. Leveraging Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology, these solutions eliminate the need for fiber infrastructure at the home or business premises, providing a practical and reliable connectivity alternative for households and enterprises seeking high performance, flexibility, and quality.
• These launches enhance Nova’s product innovation trajectory, which had a strong track record in 2025: The year was market by Nova’s launch of a new mobile portfolio addressing surging data consumption with higher allowances and reduced overage concerns, followed by a high-performance FTTH offering with speeds up to 3Gbps to support modern digital households. This was complemented by a WiFi Mesh service ensuring seamless in-home connectivity and a proactive upgrade of 500,000 broadband customers to faster speeds at no extra cost. Nova further enhanced value creation through a strategic partnership with nrg (Greek electricity and gas supplier), combining connectivity and energy services.

Building next-generation infrastructure for Greece’s digital economy

• United Fiber, the Group’s wholesale infrastructure subsidiary, surpassed 850,000 homes and businesses covered by its FTTH network during a record year of deployment in 2025, reinforcing its role as a key enabler of Greece’s transition towards a Gigabit digital economy. Focusing on deployment of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fiber-to-the-Office (FTTO) infrastructure, United Fiber is currently one of the largest FTTH network providers in Greece, with rapid nationwide rollout. Its network already covers hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. The company had a record year in 2025, marked by the successful spin-off of Vertizon, which aims to become a leader in the construction sector.

Connectivity partner for Greece’s largest smart meter programme

• Nova was selected as the connectivity partner for Greece’s largest smart meter deployment, providing NB-IoT and LTE-M connectivity, dedicated SIM cards and an integrated IoT platform for over 1.6 million meters on behalf of HEDNO, with more than 575,000 SIM cards already active. The initiative forms part of HEDNO’s broader programme to replace all conventional meters with smart devices nationwide.

Hero CSR programme: environmental restoration, prevention and research

• Through its Hero CSR programme Nova has advanced both restoration and prevention efforts in response to Greece’s wildfire challenge, including erosion control in the Dadia National Forest and on Rhodes, as well as reforestation in fire-affected areas of Attica.
• Nova has leveraged its civil protection expertise to develop Smart Forest Rhodes, an AI-enabled early-warning system for the Natura 2000–designated Valley of the Butterflies. The system integrates AI cameras, sensors and drones, supported by 5G and fibre connectivity, and is due for delivery in spring 2026 in collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Environment.
• Nova has also launched a research initiative with think tank diaNEOsis and the National Observatory of Athens to assess the socioeconomic impact of the climate crisis on Greece. Announced by Nova CEO George Lamrou at the 2025 Delphi Economic Forum, the project aims to shift the national conversation from reactive response towards proactive resilience.