Russia’s largest sales house Video International (VI) has extended its contract with its main broadcaster Channel One for a further three years.
As a result, according to Kommersant, VI will retain its 60% share of the TV ad sales market in the country.
What is more, it will effectively become a monopoly should its current negotiations with the National Media Group (NMG), the operator of Ren-TV and Petersburg-Fifth Channel, reach a successful conclusion.
VI’s clients already include VGTRK, CTC Media, Prof-Media and AF Media Holding.
Data produced by the Russian Association of Communications Agencies (AKAR) indicates that the TV advertising in the country fell by 21% in H1 this year. However, some stations, such as Ren-TV (-29%), were much worse hit than others.
