May 2, 2022 - Nova TV, the most-watched television station in Croatia, has reached an agreement with Uefa and will continue to broadcast Croatia national team matches for the next six years.

Nova TV will broadcast qualifying matches for the 2024 European Championship, 2026 World Cup qualifiers, 2028 European Championship qualifiers, and 2022, 2024, and 2026 Nations League matches. In addition, football fans will be able to watch all Croatia national team friendly matches on Nova TV, announces HNS.

"On behalf of the Croatian Football Federation, I can express my satisfaction that Nova TV will continue to broadcast Croatia national team matches for the next six years. Nova TV has proven to be a great partner in terms of organization and programming, with many great people working in front of and behind the cameras. The Croatia national team matches are the most-watched program in Croatia, and that is why I congratulate Nova TV for winning the right to broadcast in the coming period. I am convinced that many joint victories await us, to the satisfaction of our fans and viewers of Nova TV," said the President of the Croatian Football Federation, Marijan Kustić.

"We are proud to continue broadcasting the most exciting sports content on Nova TV. It is our honor and responsibility to broadcast the Croatia national team matches and present the content to the viewers in the best possible way. Nova TV, as the strongest multimedia platform, will continue to create additional value, current and attractive content for all viewers of the national team in the next six years through the synergy of television and digital channels," said the President of the Management Board of Nova TV, Dražen Mavrić.

For the new, six-year cycle of national team activities, the sports newsroom of Nova TV is preparing a series of content and graphic news in shows and broadcasting matches. As before, everything will be accompanied by a dynamic display with the latest technology prepared by the multi-award-winning Nova TV team of production graphics.

"Quality preparations and the team are what make the project a success. When a person is part of a team made up of top professionals, even demanding projects such as broadcasting Croatia national team matches are not demanding. What makes producing Croatia national team matches different is the special national charge, pride, and emotions that go to unimaginable or, perhaps better said, immeasurable heights, no matter if it is happiness or sadness. It’s so present in the stadium environment that you can’t stay cool no matter how hard you try to be a cool professional. I am proud to have the opportunity to be a part of this whole story, and that makes me happy, both professionally and humanely, as a fan," said the main producer of the Nova TV news program, Antonio Blašković, who is leading the project's production.

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September 29, 2020 - The Croatian version of hit TV show 'Your Face Sounds Familiar' returned to primetime this weekend and with it a continuing controversy. Why don't many Croatians understand that blackface is racist?

Aired by Nova TV at 8.15pm on Sunday evenings, the Croatian version of 'Your Face Sounds Familiar' is popular family entertainment. In the show, celebrity contestants impersonate famous singers The first episode of this sixth series in Croatia saw two contestants imitate black American acts Ciara and Outkast. Both of the white performers who undertook these imitations did so using blackface.

Croatian celebrity Marko Braić as Outkast, performing their song 'Roses' in blackface.

This is not the first time blackface has been used on the show. Nor is it the first time that the use of blackface has caused a mixed response. Croatian media outlets Index and Vecernji List both published stories the following day, detailing the condemnation the show received from some viewers.

What's more, Index included a reader poll in their story. On the issue of using blackface, of almost 18, 000 votes cast at the time of writing, 80% chose the option 'I don't see a problem, it's just imitations. It's acceptable.' Only 9% of voters chose 'That is racism – therefore offensive and unacceptable.' 11% chose 'I don't think it's racism, but it should be avoided.'

In the USA, UK, France, Germany and most other countries in what's regarded as the 'west', blackface is now considered racist. The tradition of white performers adopting blackface stems back to mid 19th century when American actors would perform as blacks in minstrel shows. When doing so, they caricatured the mannerisms, character and features of blacks, often depicting them as lazy, ignorant, cowardly or hypersexual. The practice of blackface reinforced racial stereotypes. The minstrel shows aimed to amuse all-white audiences and to embody white people's notions of superiority. The imitation taking place on the Croatian version of 'Your Face Sounds Familiar' is nothing like this monstrous past practice.

Reproduction of a 1900 William H. West minstrel show poster. In minstrel shows, blackface was racist - deliberately so © Strobridge & Co. Lith

Needless to say, black Americans were always of the opinion that blackface is racist and were deeply offended. As the civil rights movement gained pace, this hurt finally began to be acknowledged. Introspection and education assisted in shifting perspectives so that now it is widely considered that blackface is racist. The regular appearance of blackface on TV in the UK ended in the 1970s, even earlier in the USA.

"By distorting the features and culture of African Americans - including their looks, language, dance, deportment and character - white Americans were able to codify whiteness across class and geopolitical lines as its antithesis," says the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture today.

White performer Al Jolson famously used blackface in the 1927 film The Jazz Singer © Warner Brothers

If it is now widely accepted that blackface is racist and its undertaking all but outlawed, why is it still an acceptable part of primetime family viewing in Croatia? And why do so many Croatians not think that blackface is racist?

Well, it is almost beyond doubt that the celebrities taking part in the show choose to imitate these black singers because they like them and their songs. They are not mocking but paying tribute. Nova TV itself has a reputation for being among the more liberal and openminded broadcasters in the country. But, even if they are granted the benefit of the doubt and their intentions deemed as innocent, does that mean in this context it's not true that blackface is racist?

George Floyd mural created by protesters in Portland, Oregon. One result of the protests is that many broadcasters decided blackface is racist © Rickmouser45

In 2001, old photos and a video of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in blackface surfaced. "I regret it deeply. I'm deeply sorry I did that. I should have known better, but I didn't,” he said after the revelations, apologising to his nation via collected journalists. “I didn't consider it a racist action at the time, but now we know better. This is something unacceptable and it is racist. Darkening my face, no matter the context or circumstances is always unacceptable because of the racist history of blackface. I should have understood it then and I should never have done it.”

On 25 May 2020, American George Floyd was killed as he was being arrested. A white police officer named Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for a period initially reported to be 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Floyd's death caused widespread protests that spread internationally.

One result of the protests in the UK was a re-examination of blackface's use by non-racist comedians in popular comedy satire shows Little Britain, The Mighty Boosh and The League Of Gentlemen. The BBC, who commissioned all three series, removed all episodes which employed blackface, including some full series. The actors and creators of the shows apologised. Netflix removed two of the series from its platform altogether.

Matt Lucas and David Walliams in the comedy show Little Britain © BBC

For some in Croatia, the insistence that blackface is racist comes across as liberal attitudes and political correctness taken to unacceptable extremes. This is probably quite a similar response to that of neanderthals when they were eventually told there are better ways of going about reproduction than forcibly dragging females back to their caves by their hair. And yet, doesn't Croatia at least deserve to have this debate by itself?

Unlike the UK and the USA, Croatia has no track record of colonialism. Croatia has no economic superiority that was shamefully assisted by hundreds of years of slavery and imperialism. Croatia does not have a history of endemic racism directed towards its own black population. Blackface does not have the same hurtful history in Croatia that it does in the UK and the USA. There is no sizeable black population here that requires extra sensitivity because of previous and widespread ill-treatment. Unlike the USA and the UK, Croatia does not owe apologies for such.

In Croatia, racism may exist in some quarters, but there is nowhere on earth where it does not. And just because we see blackface on Nova TV, it would be wrong for people to automatically assume that programme makers, celebrity contestants and viewers are racist. Although, some will. One former winner of the show, Damir Kedzo has apologised for having used blackface in past editions.

Croatia does an amazing job of assimilating black people and others who come to live in the country. Unlike the UK and the USA where, over countless decades, large communities of non-whites have been ghettoised within their own communities, migrants to Croatia are placed within regular society. They live side by side with Croatians and accept the culture of the country that embraces them. And they are happy and grateful to be here. You would hear very few of them complain about the use of blackface on Croatian TV.

Someone dressed as Black Pete in the Netherlands. A debate about the character has been going on for years. For some, he is part of Christmas tradition. For others, blackface is racist © Sander van der Wel

But, just because Croatia has a clean history in its treatment of black people, unlike the UK and the USA, and just because few black people live here, can Croats easily dismiss any opinion that blackface is racist? As stated, it is perhaps a debate that Croatians deserve to have among themselves. But, just like the debate surrounding St Nicolas's controversial companion Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) in the Netherlands and Belgium, you cannot stop the rest of the world from watching as this debate takes place.

Is it important to Croatians that many outsiders will see them as racists because they enjoy a mode of performance now archaic elsewhere? Again, that is a question best answered by Croatians. By the same token, if Croatians are expected to understand how they might be viewed as racist for using blackface, it is only correct for former colonial (and now supposedly reformed) nations to try and understand why Croatia feels it is not.

It is too simplistic to say that many Croatians don't get that blackface is racist because few black people live here. It is more true to say that Croatia has no history to be ashamed of in regard to its treatment of black people and therefore feels no shame in using blackface as a homage. The performances on Croatia's 'Your Face Sounds Familiar' are clearly imitation. They are not the cruel caricature of minstrel shows. However, it also true to say that many Croatians don't understand that blackface is racist and offensive simply because they are not themselves black.

The opinions expressed in this piece are solely those of the writer and not necessarily shared by Total Croatia News

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Croatian President-Elect Zoran Milanović gave his first interview to Mislav Bago of Nova TV on January 16, 2020. When asked what people should expect from him as president, Milanović indicated that he would defend the constitution, fight against thieves and do everything which he promised during his campaign. He also spoke about the murder which occurred in Split last weekend, as Slobodna Dalmacija reported. Here are some highlights from that interview.

What can people expect from you as Croatian president?

To defend the constitution, I will fight against thieves and all that I have said in the campaign. I haven’t promise miracles. I’ll do what I promised.

Croatia has recently been shocked by the triple murder (in Split), and there are those who have organized and want to take justice into their own hands.

It shocked me, as it did you, and all of us. Split thrives on the idea of safety although it's not a very safe city. But it's not the worst city in the world either. Croatia is a reasonably safe country and the degree of public security is very good. More work is required on prevention. I could understand the approach of people on Facebook at first, but now I can't.

That needs to stop, and the government has my support. Split is a very segmented and unique city. It is large by Croatian standards; the second largest. And it is a large diverse urban entity when Solin and Kaštela are included. Unlike Zagreb, Rijeka and Zadar, Split is very diverse on the political level. In some parts of Split I received 78 percent of the vote and in other city districts I got 20 percent. This city was built on muscle, big growth and rapid urbanization, which it has not been able to reconcile. It is a big sociological and security challenge.

These people have organized themselves (on Facebook) because they believe that the system is wrong, so they have decided to take matters into their own hands.

I haven’t seen them do anything, but the idea itself is bad.

The system has also been exposed by the tragedy in Andraševac, particularly as it relates to the elderly. We are a nation of elderly people, and the government has announced changes to the law, but they probably want to hear what the President thinks.

The existing Croatian law was adequate, and now the government has become the most convenient scapegoat. Something horrible occurred in Andraševac and it is awful. We are an aging nation and need to invest in the right types of care for people. The city of Zagreb does not even have 4,000 beds in public homes and an average bed is 4,000 HRK (538 EUR) a month. In private homes this amount reaches as much as 1,000 EUR. This is a serious political problem and anyone who seeks a government position in our country will have to address citizens’ needs, which are realistic and justified.

You are expected to assume the presidency on February 18, 2020; and you have said you want to have a normal inauguration, what would that look like?

First, this does not mean that the others weren’t normal. This is one action, you assume the office, and the only thing the constitution says is that you are required take the oath of office before the President of the Constitutional Court. This can be organized in a hundred different ways. That day will take place at Pantovčak, in the President's office, and I will invite those who I think should be present. That includes the current President, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Presidency of the Parliament, the President of the Supreme Court, the Chief of Staff, the people who ran my campaign and my wife.

Our diplomacy has already informed us about the inauguration. What if some of the presidents of neighboring states want to attend?

That won't be possible, and they won't want to attend. The inauguration will be organized the way I’ve described. In Slovenia, a directly elected president takes the oath of office in parliament. This is probably possible in Croatia as well, and it seems more appropriate to me.

Rumor has it that you and the Turkish president will initiate changes to the Dayton agreement?

This is impossible, this contract is like a border agreement and cannot be canceled by standard procedure. You would have to reunite all the stakeholders, which is impossible.

Putin congratulated you and invited you to celebrate May Day in Moscow. Have you decided whether you’ll go?

It's a legendary Russian parade. I think I'm going to attend, and I don't know what would happen if I didn’t go. I do not support the annexation of Crimea, but that does not mean that I won’t work on good relations with Russia.

In terms of cooperation with the currrent Croatian President, how is this transition period going?

It’s going OK; I'm pleased.

Were you surprised by the Prime Minister's statement regarding difficult cohabitation or were you expecting a different reaction?

He has had enough turmoil in his own party, which has been going on now for years, so I won’t comment.

What should we expect in this difficult cohabitation?

You can expect constructive cooperation, and not destructive behavior. When I gather people, who are worthy and who I consider to be the best, it won’t be to lock horns with the government. It is easy to be resourceful in the position of the presidency every day. My big advantage is that I know what it looks like on the other side. It’s a lot more difficult.

The Croatian air force planes could be a topic for disagreement?

I can’t challenge that because it’s a government decision.

But they will listen to your position. You have said publicly that this should be done directly with the Americans, without an invitation or tender, yet the government informed seven countries about the purchase, why do you think it is better to automatically work with the Americans?

Because we are not buying cars for the Croatian parliament like we did recently. You call a public tender, specify those cars and know in advance that Audis are being purchased. But if you call a public tender through the General Affairs Office of the Government, Parliament and Procurement Office: they’ll end up spending too much, rather than just buying cars directly, which is twice as cheap.

Let's say a one-year-old vehicle is purchased, however. And we are not buying cars, but deadly machines, which are essential for national security. If that decision has already been made, I won’t oppose it. There are a several factors to consider. The main one, apart from quality, is reliability. Therefore, the long-term reliability of our partners is important, as is the availability of training and spare parts for rebuilding the system. The safest route is to work with the Americans.

Could we survive without investing in aviation and invest in the Croatian Navy instead? We have a lot more sea to defend. I don't want to downplay the Air Force, but nowadays, Americans are killing and disabling targets with drones.

I agree with you. I am also the Commander-in-Chief now. The President of the Croatian Republic is only nominally the Commander-in-Chief in the event of a war or declaration of war. We have not declared war and didn’t even do so during the actual war in Croatia in the 1990s. This is what the government does during peacetime, and the President is always present. He is a kind of symbolic figure. I know a little about these things and dealt with this issue 20 years ago. However, this system is managed by the Government and I will be their partner, and what I am saying is that this is Croatia’s best interests. I can say this because I do not decide on allocating state funds. I do not decide on procurement and do not have any personal preferences. I do not know about present-day companies or factories. I used to know about all the fighter jet manufacturers as a kid, now I don't know anything about them.

I ask this because some people say that in the long run it will be more important for us to protect the sea, and we are not investing money in this area, and the question is when and under what conditions will we get the planes?

I have been saying this for five years or more. As Croatian Prime Minister, I left the mandate with an outstanding order for one, or four more – so a total of five Coast Guard patrol vessels, which are part of the Navy today. This is what we need as a minimum, but it is not enough. I consider the Navy a priority, so our 12 or so planes mean nothing in the global arena. It's purely a badge pride to have those and have that ability. It is expensive, but we are a country, not just NATO members, and the Navy and sea are our most precious resources besides humans.

You have said publicly that we do not belong in Afghanistan. Will you formally initiate the withdrawal of our troops when you take office?

I will constantly bring this up because it is a completely senseless mission. There is no solution for that situation, and the question is when the US will withdraw. It's often said, ‘We went in together, we will leave together,’ but it's not a real combat action to refer to warriors’ honor. It is a mission that our people cannot defend.

We entered there a year after the Americans, a year after the Taliban were defeated. We entered there on the initiative of Ivica Račan, but that does not oblige us. We can withdraw when we decide to without consulting anyone. It cannot be on the principle that several soldiers there earn a slightly higher salary. I'm glad about that, but I'm not glad when they come back wounded or die. The situation is stagnant, and I wonder why. The key question is why.

We also have soldiers in India and Pakistan. One wonders what our interest is there.

There is a much smaller number there, but we need to constantly check and review the ratio, not jump in blindly for our partners and their interests.

You said that Slovenia needs Croatia to be a strategic partner, but how can this be achieved with all the obstacles we have; like the arbitration issue, for example?

We’ll proceed patiently, as we did in the campaign. Slovenia is naturally our closest partner. Our challenges with them are nothing compared to the problems we have with other countries.

Do you think Bernardić could be Prime Minister?

He is the president of a strong political party, if the SDP achieves solid results in the upcoming elections and win more than 76 seats, they will have the mandate. And I cannot foresee what kind of prime minister he will be.

Europe has proposed a comprehensive green plan – and as a continent we would like to return to sustainable energy. Do you think that citizens are aware of what lies ahead and what we must do to save planet earth?

They are not currently aware but will become more so over time. We, as a small country and a small economy, contribute little or nothing to climate change and global warming. However, we also do not have the wealth and sometimes pretentious moral guard of Denmark or Sweden. This needs to be clear - it concerns us, it concerns our coast. If the sea level begins to rise, it affects our environment and where our people live. These are things that need to be talked about constantly. There are also several moral issues, such as how shamelessly rich countries are exploiting natural resources, and currently have the right to set the pace for those who are being exploited.

We know what to expect from your inauguration, but what will be among be your first decisions?

I will gather people whom I consider important. I do not mean an advisory team which bypasses the government and copies it. The team will be smaller, but for practical reasons. I can't gather everyone I’d like to have on board. There will be a smaller number of professional advisors, but don't consider it a savings. This is not because I am frugal, but that’s how it is coming together this point. Those I nominate will represent my priorities and those are: defense, national security, foreign policy and practically nothing else. I cannot reveal any names right now. I will certainly not have a social services advisor because appointing someone for that position would be pretentious and wrong. I'm not the government. I have no right to mentor the government if I cannot offer a solution. I will make a few of the social fields a priority including education and curricular reform…

What role will your wife play? She said she would like to promote the field she is working in.

She is primarily a university professor and works at the state institute on various projects. She will be doing what she would like to do. She'll probably be more present than when I was Prime Minister, but not much more. It is, after all, her decision.

Follow our Politics page for updates on the Croatian presidency.

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