Balvin, who was the general director of Czech TV in 2001 - 2002, replaces Alena Hanakova, who resigned the position in mid-June after much criticism. More recently Balvin was a media advisor to Czech President Milos Zeman who won a closely fought victory in the January 2013 presidential election.

Balvin was appointed by the new Prime Minister of a caretaker government formed after the former Prime Minister was forced to step down following a scandal involving spying and fraud connected with a close aide.