PiS lawmakers inquired about the total costs of TVP’s New Year’s Eve concert and sponsorship from state-owned firms.
Parliamentary Inquiry
In early January, a group of PiS lawmakers contacted the heads of state assets and culture ministries to request information about the total cost of “Sylwester z Dwórką,” broadcast on Polish Television, and how much TVP covered from its budget.
The MPs also sought details on funding from event sponsors, including state-owned companies: Tauron Polska Energia, Orlen, and PKP Intercity.
State-Owned Companies’ Stance
Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun informed PiS MPs that, per standard practice, companies do not disclose details of contracts with partners, as such information constitutes a trade secret. He added that aggregate data on sponsorship expenses by state-owned firms for the previous year would be published in June.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Culture Maciej Wróbel noted that TVP independently manages its affairs. However, the ministry had requested TVP’s stance, which was then forwarded to PiS MPs.
TVP’s Response
In a letter signed by TVP’s director general Tomasz Sygut, the broadcaster stated: “We kindly inform that all information regarding the costs of organizing ‘Sylwester z Dwórką’—the New Year’s Eve concert by Polish Television S.A. in liquidation—is a trade secret.” Sygut cited administrative court rulings consistently upholding TVP’s right to withhold such information.
TVP further noted it must keep sponsorship agreements with external entities confidential unless they consent to disclosure. The letter emphasized the event’s success: “Tegoroczny ‘Sylwester z Dwórką’ was a ratings triumph, watched by nearly 2.9 million viewers on TVP2 and TVP Polonia, outperforming Polsat and Telewizja Republika.”
Regional Funding Estimate
Despite TVP’s stance, Silesian Voivodeship Marshal Wojciech Saługa revealed in December that the regional government allocated 3.5 million zł for the event, with the total cost estimated at around 6 million zł. It remains unclear how much TVP contributed versus sponsors.