It is 20.00 in Bulgaria... "Программа Время", the main Soviet "news" programme, beaming straight from Moscow into Bulgarian homes.

Read by Igor Kirilov. For many years, without translation and the only choice on a Friday night, until Bulgarian TV started its second channel in 1974.

Bulgaria's Communist leader for 35 years, Todor Zhivkov, declared on the occasion of a visit by then Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1962:

"We must say that our political watch-dial is exact to the second with the watch of the Soviet Union, that our watch is working to Moscow time. This is a matter of great pride for all Bulgarian people...", Rabotnichesko Delo-daily, 28 May 1962.

Помните ли този часовник?! Осем вечерта в България, "Программа "Время", "новините" на Централната Съветска телевизия, пряко от Москва. С патоса на Игор Кирилов. Дълги години без превод, и единствена програма в петък, преди Българската Телевизия да открие втория си канал през 1974.

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