Pay-TV operators in Russia face the prospect of only being able to access public channels exclusively from Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network (RTRS).
According to Vedomosti, draft amendments to laws on media and communications currently being prepared by the Ministry of Communications would introduce such a requirement, which would apply to ‘mandatory’ (must carry) public channels.
The amendments would also require operators to transmit the same content from the channels at the same time. Pay-TV operators are particularly concerned about the additional costs they may incur by connecting their equipment to RTRS’ network.
At present they access the public channels over the air.