Many Czech television programmes began with a one-minute delay and presenters dressed in black on Monday, as thousands of public broadcasting employees staged a one-day strike over plans they fear could threaten the independence of public service media.
The range of content was reduced on websites, social media and teletext services, but the impact otherwise initially remained limited.
The protests are in response to a decision by the Cabinet of right-wing populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš a week ago to abolish radio and television licence fees.
Under the government's plans, which parliament still has to approve, public broadcasters would be financed directly from the state budget from the start of next year. They are also set to receive much less money than before.
Critics see the move as an attack on the independence of public service media. The right-wing Culture Minister Oto Klempíř, however, accused the striking staff of being motivated by money, not values.
Several thousand people gathered outside the broadcasting centre of Czech Television (ČT) in Prague on Sunday in protest, carrying placards bearing slogans such as "Free media = free society."
The country's liberal President Petr Pavel has also criticized the plans, arguing that the current system works well. At present, every household in the Czech Republic pays 55 Czech crowns, or koruny ($2.60), a month for radio and 150 koruny for television.
