SPB TV, the national Advertising Alliance (NRA) and Channel One have begun to test a solution that allows Russian OTT services to broadcast live TV channels legally on the internet.
According to ComNews, a commercial launch is planned for Q2 this year, with the total cost of the project amounting to between $2 million and $5 million.
It adds that aside from allowing OTT services to broadcast channels, including ones in HD, on the principle of “one window”, it will provide channels with their audience data on OTT services.
Furthermore, it will limit the illegal distribution of content on the internet and open up new advertising opportunities for channels.
Work on the solution, which was developed on the recommendation of the Ministry of Communications and Mass Communications, began in 2013.
All channels broadcast on Russia’s first and second multiplexes have already held talks about its use.