The leading Russian broadcaster Channel One is likely to extend its contract with Video International (VI), the country’s largest ad sales house.
Kommersant reports that both sides are willing to renew a multi-year exclusive contract, which runs out at the end of this year. Although VI also lists VGTRK, CTC Media and Prof Media amongst its clients, Channel One is by far the most lucrative.
Kommersant estimates that the station made over R30 billion (€688.6 million) in ad revenues last year, or around 22% of the TV industry’s total.
VI made a commission of 12% on these revenues.
The economic crisis has nevertheless hit Russia’s TV industry quite hard, with ad revenues falling by 20% in rouble terms in Q1 this year.
