Echo TV will remain as before the channel closest to the government, Széles said in an interview with daily Magyar Hírlap last Friday, according to Hungarian news agency MTI. 

The former owner said that the channel needs an upgrade to its equipment, as well as wage hikes and new hirings, which he said could total an investment of HUF 1.5 billion.

Széles noted that a total of 2.8 million households currently have access to the TV channel, which could be joined by another million if it can be added to the free packages of service providers in Hungary.