Summer is in full swing, which means that fresh and energetic hits are playing on all radios and televisions. But this is the beautiful and fun side of things. In summer, temperatures are really high and hide dangers that the media is not indifferent to. So, if you’ve decided to spend the warm days in Bulgaria, it’s super important to understand the language well to navigate the news properly and safely.
In this guide, I’m going to share some info about Bulgarian media, such as TV, newspapers, radios, and social media. Stay until the end because I have a bonus: a list of essential vocabulary that will be helpful for your understanding of this topic.
Table of Contents
Bulgarian Media
Television and online media are the two main sources of news in the country, while print media no longer has much influence.
Furthermore, the media landscape in Bulgaria looks bleak. Public service media is limited, and press freedom is affected by legislative framework, funding structures, corruption, and political pressure. Bulgaria is ranked 59th place in terms of freedom of speech according to Reporters without Borders.
Therefore, many media professionals, like independent media businesses or investigative journalists, are looking for ways to educate the public in online media environments.
Apart from them, many of the country’s celebrities and influencers use their position to influence various groups of audiences and give publicity to many things that are missing, for example, in print media.
So if you want to receive real and timely information, listen and look around at what is happening in Bulgarian social media.
Now, let me show you a little more about each media outlet.
Bulgarian Television
Bulgarian traditional media is television, but the national channel (BNT) isn’t the most watched at all. All Bulgarians watch BTV or Nova TV, which are private channels. This is the ultimate channel for the elderly in Bulgaria. Our grandparents are happy because they get news, TV series, and reality shows like “The Farm” – Fermata (Фермата), all in one place. This is a serious deal for them.
However, the younger public doesn’t watch TV so much. We’re more likely to spend most of our time in online media such as YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that Bulgarian television is boring. There are many TV shows that can be interesting for young people, like “Тhe Bachelor” – Ergenut (Ергенът), “Games of the Will” – Igri an volyata (Игри на волята), and Hell’s Kitchen Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Radio Stations
Can you believe that until 1991 there was only one radio station based in Sofia? It operated four channels and five regional stations, and it was only after the fall of communism that things changed.
Today, the radio market is dominated by an extremely large number of private radio stations, like Darik Radio and BG Radio, that broadcast mainly music or advertising. There are few channels that broadcast news, and of course, the main one is the Bulgarian National Radio. It reports all the news on a daily basis, plus traffic warnings in various parts of the country and other important topics. But you can listen to music there too, don’t worry.
Bulgarian Newspapers
The first Bulgarian newspaper was the “Bulgarian Eagle,” which was published in Leipzig in 1846 but stopped after only three issues. The second attempt at publishing a newspaper was more successful. Alas, nowadays, print media is dying, and hardly anyone reads the paper newspaper.
On the other hand, the online space is full of monthly newsletters, blogs, and news pages from a number of media outlets, independent publishers, journalists, blogs, and digital agencies. All these resources are preferred by Bulgarians, as they provide timely, up-to-date information about the country and the world.
Of course, nowadays, the internet can be full of false information, so choose your resources carefully and don’t believe everything they say.
Good and trusted electronic newspapers are:
- Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) – State-owned agency with English-language pages.
- Novinite – English-language news site.
- Dir.bg – News site.
- Dnevnik – Daily.
- 24 Chasa – Daily.
- Telegraf – Daily.
- Kapital – Political and economic; weekly.
But my favorite Bulgarian media is Free Europe – Svobodna Evropa (Свободна Европа).
Bulgarian Social Media
Different age groups and social groups use different social networks. In other words, each audience has its own way of finding information.
Facebook is the most used social media in Bulgaria by older generations. However, it’s also the most politically charged, and you can often find a lot of news or statements there. When it comes to young people, we use Facebook most often because of its marketplace.
For entertainment, communication, advertising, and, in some cases, business, Instagram takes first place.
Another widespread social network in Bulgaria is TikTok, as the platform has recently become very business-oriented. Many business owners, independent organizations, journalists, and representatives of various public institutions have started using the app to expand their awareness and recognition. They use it to raise business sales, to learn something new about the country, and, most of all, to find unadulterated and real outside information.
Also, if you’re learning Bulgarian (or any other language), social media is a great way to practice your skills by connecting with people, reading and writing comments, or chatting with someone.
Useful Vocabulary Related To Bulgarian Media
Now, as promised, let’s show you some common words in Bulgarian related to media.
| English | Bulgarian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Public service media | Обществена медия | Obshtestvena mediya |
| Media sector | Медиен сектор | Medien sektor |
| Press freedom | Свобода на пресата | Svoboda na presata |
| Independent journalism | Независима журналистика | Nezavisima zhurnalistika |
| Political pressure | Политически натиск | Politicheski natisk |
| Corruption | Корупция | Koruptsiya |
| Politicians | Политици | Polititsi |
| Journalist | Журналист | Zhurnalist |
| Reporter | Репортер | Reporter |
| News feed | Новинарска емисия | Novinarska emisiya |
| Social Media | Социални мрежи | Sotsialni mrezhi |
| Television | Телевизия | Televisiya |
| Radio | Радио | Radio |
| Newspaper | Вестник | Vestnik |
| Interview | Интервю | Intervyu |
| Broadcast | Предаване | Predavane |
How Do You Say “Media” In Bulgarian?
In Bulgarian, the word for “media” is mediya (Медия).
FAQ’s About Bulgarian Media
1. What Is The Most Famous TV Channel In Bulgaria?
In Bulgaria, the most-watched TV channels are BTV and Nova TV.
2. What Social Media Is Used In Bulgaria?
We most often use Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok in Bulgaria.
3. What Is The Oldest Newspaper In Bulgaria?
The first Bulgarian newspaper was the “Bulgarian Eagle,” which was published in Leipzig in 1846.
Wrapping Up
As we mentioned, Bulgarian media freedom could use some improvement. Still, people who want to know and be informed find other ways, like social media, to keep up with what’s happening around them.
Furthermore, exploring the local media landscape can help you deepen your understanding of the Bulgarian language. You can combine it with more structured ways of learning, such as the Ling app, to better grasp concepts such as Bulgarian grammar.
So, take the plunge and dive into the world of Bulgarian media. With the right tools and a bit of curiosity, you’ll be navigating it like a pro in no time!
