:: 20/04/2010

Russia - Proposed legislation to guarantee free-to-air services on MUX 1

The Communications Ministry has submitted a bill to the Duma in preparation for digital switchover.

The proposed legislation calls for the broadcast services available on the first DTT multiplex to be made available to all viewers free-of-charge regardless of the television delivery platform.

These services include Channel One, Rossiya, Rossiya-2, Rossiya-Kultura, NTV and the Fifth Channel, as well as the radio services Mayak, Radio Rossiya and Vesti FM.

Operators who charge for these services risk losing their licences. However, they can charge a fee for the transmission of other television services such as CTC, TNT, Ren TV and MTV.

Source: Broadband TV News