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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Q2N6efKfbYLIuXfxYDRLtJkKKdT4x0maATP2R9GNdBeVWTOWWsRzEIDawMiePiY7
 QXeduXD/70LSVPEVn+ekBg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000925645-04-000047.txt : 20040819
<SEC-HEADER>0000925645-04-000047.hdr.sgml : 20040819
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040819120957
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000925645-04-000047
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040819
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040819

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LANGER ALFRED W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001222044

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24796
		FILM NUMBER:		04985626

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NIEDERKASSLER KIRCHWEG 43
		CITY:			DUESSELDORF
		STATE:			2M
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		011492115509604

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTRAL EUROPEAN MEDIA ENTERPRISES LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000925645
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS [4833]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CME DEVELOPEMENT CORP
		STREET 2:		8TH FLOOR ALDWYCH HOUSE 71-91 ALDWYCH
		CITY:			LONDON
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			WC2B 4HN
		BUSINESS PHONE:		011442074305430

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CLARENDON HOUSE
		STREET 2:		HAMILTON HM CX
		CITY:			BERMUDA
		STATE:			D0
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000925645</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CENTRAL EUROPEAN MEDIA ENTERPRISES LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>cetv</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001222044</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LANGER ALFRED W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, par value $0.08</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>493</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.06</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13100</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Alfred W Langer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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